**£!£*& FALKNER LYLE. VOL. III. FALKNER LYLE, OR THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. BY MAEK LEMON. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON : HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1866. The right of Translation is reserved. LOlf DOX : SAVILL AMD EDWABDS, PEIKTEEB, CHAJfDOS STBBBT, COTEtfT-GABDEX. CONTENTS. OF THE THIRD VOLUME. CHAPTER I. PAGE WE TRY BACK AND MAKE A FRESH CAST — THE CEDARS REVISITED — THE MERITONS SEEK A NEW HOME 1 CHAPTER II. MISS MERITON TAKES A JOURNEY, AND CERTAIN FOREBODINGS OF EVIL HAVE AN UNEXPECTED REALIZATION MR. MALLETT IS INTRODUCED 30 CHAPTER III. A GOOD SAMARITAN OF QUESTIONABLE MO- RALITY— A PRESENTIMENT FULFILLED . . 58 CHAPTER IV. A MARRIAGE WITHOUT LOVE OR BRIDESMAIDS — A WEDDING BREAKFAST — MEETING OF OLD ACQUAINTANCES 85 CHAPTER V. BIRDS OF A FEATHER COLLECT TOGETHER AT SCARBOROUGH MRS. MALLETT GIVES A LITTLE DINNER 113 VOL. III. b vi CONTENTS. CHAPTEE VI. PAGB EROWNLOW MAKES A BAD INVESTMENT— MR. MALLETT HAVING LOST HIS MONET, PROPOSES TO OPEN A BANK 150 CHAPTEE VII. MK. EROWNLOW PRACTISES THE EINE AET OF HIS PROFESSION ETHEL RECEIVES THE LAST PEOOF OF HIS LOYE FOR HER 178 CHAPTEE VIII. MR. BUMPS COMES OUT WHEN WANTEE AN AD- VENTURE AT THE CAFE RICHE 200 CHAPTEE IX. . AN OMITTED CHAPTER WHICH EXPLAINS SOME OF THE MYSTERY AT ST. GNATS AND ELSE- WHERE 231 CHAPTEE X. TEE LAST BUSINESS TRANSACTION BETWEEN MR. BROWNLOW AND MR. MALLETT ETHEL CLAIMS HER PLACE AS A WIFE 259 CHAPTEE XL MYSTERY AT AN END, AND WITH IT OUR STORY 287 CHAPTER I. WE THY BACK AND MAKE A FRESH CAST— THE CEDARS REVISITED — THE MERITONS SEEK A NEW HOME. FT is one great privilege of a story-teller tliat he may spread out his sheet of paper as Prince Hassan spread ont his necromantic car- pet, and convey the reader backward or forward at will. We do now, revisiting The Cedars some six years after the day when Falkncr Lylc bade them adieu, love-stricken by Ethel Meriton. Of all mental labour, there is none, we imagine, more exhaustive and less remunerative than that of the schoolmaster who conscientiously dis- charges his high functions. He rarely finds, we fear, that to " rear the tender thought" is the " delightly task" we have been taught to regard VOL. III. B 2 FALTCNER LYLE ; OR, it, but soon discovers that his arduous profession is calculated rather to " Teach erring man to spurn the rage of gain," and compel him to confess to a most unphilo- sophical enjoyment when he can exclaim — " Thanks to the gods ! The boy has done his duty !" The difficult forbearance which the dominie is called upon to exercise towards the dull, the un- willing, or the refractory pupil, must be no easy task. The monotonous repetition of lessons so well known to the teacher, that the beauty of the poet's thoughts, the charms of the eloquent narrative of the historian, afford no compensation for the constrained attention to the bungling scholar — the constant watchfulness and almost parental anxiety for the health and conduct of those confided to his care — the necessity for being the careful councillor, the impartial judge, the judicious corrector, must leave but little rest THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 3 to the wearied mind of the conscientious school- master ; and when such daily anxieties are added to the duties of a pastor, the mental strain can hardly be calculated, and very rarely remunerated in proportion to the cost. The labour of some twenty years had left Dr. Meriton hardly a thousand pounds richer than he was when Ethel's birth made him anxious to add to the small stipend of his vicarage. He had had losses, and was about to receive the most serious blow that the commercial success of his school could sustain. A boy in one of Mr. Bumpstead's class- rooms complained, one morning, of headache and soreness of the throat. When the doctor came and saw the flushed, hot cheek, and felt the rapid pulse, he shook his head, and then declared that the scarlet scourge had stricken the boy. "Will it attack the other boys?" asked Meriton. " Most assuredly, if they come in contact b 2 4 FALKNEE, LYLE ; OR, with the patient ; and I should fear that others are already infected/'' replied the doctor. " You will please, then, doctor, go round the school and examine the boys at once/'' said Meriton. " Will that he judicious ?" asked the other ; "the boys will suspect something, and write home to their friends " "As I shall require them to do to-day if there is any further trace of the disease," said Meriton. " I have known schools ruined by such visita- tions," observed the doctor, looking Meriton in the face. " Yes, I have heard of such results," replied the schoolmaster ; " but my course of duty admits of no question." Mr. Bumpstead, who had listened to the conver- sation, gave a short cough, blinked his eyes very rapidly, and then seizing the hand of his prin- cipal, shook it violently, saying, " Like you, sir THE STORY Or TWO WIVES. 5 — like you j you will be ruined, but you will have done your duty to the boys and to tlieir parents." The examination was made. Nearly all the lads who slept in the sick boy's room bore un- mistakable indications of the dreaded malady, and each pupil was ordered forthwith to com- municate with their friends at home. Parental anxiety was expressed in various phases. Mrs. Maltravers wrote to express " the alarm which dear Percy's letter had occasioned at home ; for, although she Avas only his step- mother, she had the greatest interest in the darling boy. If, therefore, the epidemic did not show itself upon him in the course of a few days, she would advise that he be sent home, as she and her two daughters were going to Scar- borough for a few weeks, and the house in town would then be in charge of two trustworthy ser- vants, who would take care of him during her absence." b FALKNER LYLE ; OR, Gregory Dace had a note from his father, desiring him " not to catch the fever upon any account, and that his Uncle James, who had had the scarlatina, should come and see him as soon as he came back from Birmingham — say at the end of the week." Mrs. Lumley posted down in an invalid car- riage, which, on the journey, she impregnated with camphor and aromatic vinegar, until she was nearly suffocated by her disinfectants. When she arrived at The Cedars, she would not alight, but sent for her beloved Rupert into the carriage. She then embraced and blubbered over him as though the robustious, healthy fellow, had come out of a charnel-house. Without waiting for the boy's wardrobe, or, indeed, to interchange words with anyone but the servants, she ordered the postboy to turn his horse's head homewards, and would hardly allow the humane fellow " to wash out his 'osscs* mowves" — and his own. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 7 Mr. Bracklcbury requested that Eugene might be placed at oucc with some respectable farmer — terms no object — and where the boy would have the use of the cowhouse,, as Mr. Bracklebury had been advised that the breath of cows was a pre- ventative of scarlatina. If too late to prevent an attack, the people at the farm were to secure the best advice, and, should any of them catch the epidemic, Mr. Bracklebury would be happy to pay the doctor's bill. Mr. Bracklebury having just completed papering and painting his house was the reason for this arrangement. He had no desire to reinstate the workmen who had by their dilatoriness driven him nearly mad. There were variations of these examples of sel- fish carefulness and affectionate exaggeration ; but the ultimate consequence was to diminish the number of scholars at The Cedars to nearly one- half after the purification of the house and school- rooms permitted the resumption of business. This diminution of pupils was a source of con- 3 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, siderable anxiety to tlie poor doctor,, who foresaw that he must soon trench upon the money he / had saved, as the receipts from his scholars would ' not meet the expenses of his establishment. It was now that he began to regard the sand which had run into the past, and to measure with beat- ing heart and throbbing brain the little which remained for the future — that terrible future, which might carry with it the hard-earned savings, gar- nered for Ethel, his dear, friendless child. That must not be. The old work must be continued, and new work must be found. The weary brain must acquire new life, new energy, from the thought of Ethel's dependence ; and so it did for a time — only for a time. One of the tutors was dispensed with and his work taken by the doctor, until Mr. Bumps insisted on sharing it with his principal. A little huckstering (repulsive expedient) was done through agents to increase the number of scholars ; but the result was not very successful. Authorship Avas attempted ; but THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 9 the doctor's solid learning and sound philosophy were not wanted in the market, and the flippant scribbler received without a blush an honorarium a hundredfold more than the modest doctor ever dreamed of acquiring by his new brain-work. Defeat must not bring despondency. No ; he must not sit in his quiet room resting his tired head upon his hand, and thinking of Ethel and her future. He must not continue to imagine a time could come when she will be friendless amongst strargers, dependent upon her own labour for her daily bread, and haply earned by some work distasteful, ill-requited, and very wearisome. He must not think sickness might overtake him whilst he is yet young enough for the honest discharge of his duties, and lay a bur- then upon her before he dies. He rises as that thought comes to him, and walks to and fro in his little room, as he docs often in the night when he awakes, and dreams when he is awake. No ; he must shake away such thoughts and feelings. 10 FALKNEE LTLE ; OR, He must trust to God to give him strength to work hopefully — there is no other chance of rescue. His wisdom and example may have directed the prosperous merchant, the thriving practiser of law or physic, the daring soldier, at the outset of their lives into the proper way ; but they will have forgotten him, even if they have ever recognised the value of his teaching. It is thus all the world over. We accept success, and rarely remember the means by which we climbed to it. " Mr. Bumpstead," said the doctor, one night, as he received the weekly report of that gentle- man, " I really am ashamed to give you these extra classes without an increase of stipend, but " " Pray, sir, no word of that/' interrupted 3Ir. Bumps ; " I had not my fair share of the work before, nor have I now ; and, as for more money, I am a lonely bachelor, no one to care for me, no one to care for, and if I can save up enough for a decent funeral I am content." THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. II The doctor gave a deep sigh, and then said — " I cannot say that I would wish my case were yours, for I love my child — have more com- fort from her love than words can express; but, like all human joys, that love has its attendant pain." Mr. Bumps blinked very hard, but remained silent. " At times — not often — but there have been times when I am so despairing that I have thought we should both be happier, if she had to forego all that makes her young life desirable to her, and we could die together." u Good gracious, sir \" cried Bumps, starting up, " you can never be so wicked \" Mr. Meriton bowed his head, as though ashamed of the confession he had made. "Have you been prcachingpatiencc, resignation, hope, to us benighted sinners for these twenty or thirty years, to talk in that way ? — to think in that way? Because you arc just now under a cloud, arc 12 FALKNBR LYLE ; OR, you to jump into the darkest and deepest pit we ever heard of, and drag Ethel with you V " Do not misunderstand me," said Meriton ; " I have owned the wickedness of the thought ; but what would be the fate of my child if I were to die now ? — or, worse than death, if " he paused. " If by continuing these desponding notions," said Bumps, " you get into a state of mind that will incapacitate you from all exertion? You have no right to do that, and at present you have no chance of dying. The school will pull up presently ; I am sure it will." " Well, let us hope so," replied the doctor. " And let us hope that you will get rid of your ugly thoughts, sir, and be ready to take advantage of any sudden influx of pupils," said Bumps, blinking and smiling. " My classes wont trouble me if they are doubled, and my colleagues are not afraid of work/'' " I am much obliged to all," answered Mcri- THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. J 3 ton ; " I will try to follow your advice, and practise what I have so often preached to others." The poor doctor strove bravely to keep this promise, but his great fears were too often the conquerors. He concealed his wounds very suc- cessfully for some time from Mr. Bumps ; but at last the wan cheek, the sunken and wan- dering eye, the twitching lip, revealed the in- ward suffering to the kind-hearted old usher. The boys who had been some time pupils at The Cedars said the old Doctor was very cross of late, and that old Bumps took upon himself more than he ought to do when he sent them from the dining-hall should the fellows get very jolly and boisterous in their mirth. Poor old usher ! He had had his sorrows, and remembered how the noisy laugh, the merry voices of the thoughtless schoolboys had jarred upon his heart and on his brain, until he had called the happy youngsters selfish and unkind. 14 FALKNER LYLE ; Oil, Ethel had long before discovered that her father Avas ill at ease, but, guessing that the de- cline of the school was the cause, she had never questioned him, nor allowed her aunt to do so. By increased attention and an ever- affectionate watchfulness, she tried to comfort him without appearing to have any increase of anxiety ; and succeeded often. But as the pleasant draught which for awhile cheats us of our cares, has ever the penalty of reaction mingling with it, so it was with Ethel's loving ministrations. Welcome and soothing as were their influences when she was present, they made her father's fears for her more distressing when he was alone — alone with the silence of night, and the solitude of his own thoughts. He would leave the bed which brought him no rest, and walk about the room nntil exhaustion promised to bring forgetfulness in sleep. Such contests could have but one termination. For some days Dr. Meriton had been more in- THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 15 disposed than usual ; but he had made no com- plaint, not even to his sister. He had been engaged on the mid-week half-holiday in the composition of his sermon, and it was Ethel's custom to take her father some tea at a certain hour, should he not join the family. In dis- charge of this duty she entered the doctor's study. " Here is your tea, papa," she said. A low moan was the answer. The doctor sat at his writing-table, his head bowed forward as it had been for three hours past, the pen resting between the fingers which now could no longer guide it to give order and expression to the confused thoughts which were crowding and following each other in the over- worked brain. "Papa ! papa ! speak to me I" said Ethel. The wandering eye seemed to betoken some dim consciousness, and the distorted mouth to strive for words; but none came, only a deep moan. 16 FALKNEll LYLE; OR, Etlicl rang the bell so violently, that two or three of the servants ran to the study. One she sent for the old usher, another for the doctor. Mr. Bumps gathered from the servant some knowledge of the condition of Mcriton, and was prepared therefore to render immediate assistance. " Let us be thankful/' he said, " that it is not apoplexy. It is only paralysis — slight paralysis — and he will recover/'' " Oh, thank God ! thank God Vs cried Ethel. " Remove him to the sofa, and then, my dear child — as you cannot be of assistance, and as this sight must be painful to you, perhaps you had better leave us."" " No \" said Ethel, firmly. " I am not afraid — not much alarmed now — and I cannot go." " Perhaps you have anticipated some such attack ?" said Bumps. " I have." " I know my father was far from well," re- plied Ethel ; " but I did not expect this. What has caused it V TEE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 17 The usher touched his forehead. " Too much, my dear, the strain has been too much — const fret and wear — the fret worse than the wear — have done their work at last. N hun- dreds are so beaten down every day, but they are only rank and file, and count for nothing in the world's muster roll. But your papa will rally — I'm sure he will, and here's the doctor to tell you so/' " Eecovery was not hopeless/' said the careful doctor. " I have known many cases of w character than this mastered very soon." " Let that comfort you, my dear young la said the old usher; "and now, if ! to your aunt and .our father's bed is ready, we will do t '.-" 1 left very reluctantly; but she fel is her duty to save her an abrupt intelligence, and with all her careful- ness Miss Meriton was greatly alarmed and distressed. VOL. III. C 18 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, The stricken man was many days before he gave signs that recovery was probable. " He will do now, Bumpstead," said the doctor, in a whisper, as he and the old nsher stood outside the patient's door. ft He will do for a time, but I fear we shall only patch him up." " You don't mean that he will die shortly V asked the usher, earnestly. " Well — no — perhaps not. Men in his state drag on for years/' replied the doctor ; " but he'll never be the man he has been. I fancy we have heard his last sermon." e< Poor Meriton !" said Bumps, blinking very rapidly. "He will preach no more — keep school no more ; I feared as much." And then the doctor and the usher parted. No more ! Those words have a sad funereal sound ! To say we shall no more lock on our old friend's face, — some chance of life putting a world between us, — is verv like throwing a hand- THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 19 ful of flowers or a handful of mould into his grave. To say " no more " when puffed and hand sore you step out of the boat you have helped in times gone by to row to victory, — to say " no more" when you are run out for want of wind, or " bowled" because you can no longer see the ball — to say " no more " when your heart has bumped rather quickly, as you rode an old hack to cover, conscious that a ' f flyer " was waiting you at the cover side and which you wished in his stable, although you knew every green lane and wood-side in the country, and were deter- mined to make the best use of your knowledge — to say " no more " when cramps and pains succeed your last night's mad performance of a country dance, — are all like echoes of the banshee's cry, the night howl of the dog, the death tick of the haunted house, warning us that the grim destroyer is marching towards us. When Dr. Meriton was recovered sufficiently c 2 20 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, to leave his room, it was evident that he would wield the dominie's ferula no more — descant no more from the pastor's pulpit. Mr. Bumpstead and his colleagues exerted themselves to supply the doctor's place, and to keep the pupils together until the good-will of the school could be disposed of to a competent person. Dr. Meriton was positive that the ca- pacity of the new master should be satisfactorily established, and that no mere monied dunce should be his successor. It was a painful sight to those who loved Dr. Meriton to see his once powerful frame cramped and enfeebled by the recent attack — painful to hear his once sonorous voice muffled, as it were, and making his utterances indistinct and. tre- mulous. His favourite room was the small study wherein he had laboured so sedulously, and as he sat, almost motionless, his eyes would traverse round the shelves of becks, recalling, no doubt, THE STORY OE TWO WIVES. 21 many recollections, both painful and pleasur- able. Once or twice lie had requested to be placed at his writing-table — his bread-winner he now called it — and when he fancied he was unobserved he had tried to hold a pen between his almost powerless fingers. As the quill dropped away from them he sighed deeply, and tears stole down the poor distorted face, and falling on the paper left in the blurs they made a more touching appeal for the stricken man than a page of eloquent words could have done. At other times he would be placed at a window overlooking the playground, and watch the boys at play ; and when a good stroke at " hockey/'' or a brave kick at football, was achieved, he would wag his head and smile. Yes — that sad motion of the mouth was his smile then ! He would name the boys as they passed to and fro, and try to recount how some had ex- celled in their class-work, and compared them with others who had gone before, and attained 0 0 PALKNEE LYLE; OR, the success in the world he had prophesied they would do. But it needed all Ethel's attention to catch the meaning of his muffled words,, and any misapprehension of what he desired to con- vey appeared to pain or irritate him. The sound of the church bells affected him to tears ; and Echel, or the old usher who read the prayers to him alternately, had frequently to pause until he had mastered his emotion. He gave grave rea- sons for these disturbances — too grave to have a place here. As his strength increased., he spoke of the possibility of being able to preach a farewell ser- mon; and this desire became so strong, that Ethel, alarmed in case he should attempt to carry it out, called Mr. Bumpstead into council. The old usher decided that the doctor should pay a visit to his church the next half-holiday, and so it was arranged. It was near the close of the afternoon when the doctor's chair was wheeled into the aisle of his church. The fading light, still more subdued THE ST011Y OE TWO WIVES. *So by the stained window-panes, showed but dimly the altar at which he had ministered so often, and the dark oak pulpit was indistinct in the deep shadow ; the empty pews wherein he had seen the familiar faces of his flock — changing often as death had called some away — had now a strange solemnity, all being void and dark. There was utter silence, as no one spoke or could have spoken, seeing the sorrow depicted in one face. The doctor folded his hands npon his breast, and with sobs and mutterings prayed, for the last time, in his much-loved church. He told Ethel and the old usher to take him home. " He felt/'' he said, " his desire was not to be, and that he should preach no more."" There was another ordeal which, the doctor had proposed for himself, and to which Mr. Bumps entered a great remonstrance, with a result that rather astonished him. " You really must not, my dear doctor, think of such a thing as taking leave of the boys. You would break down, to a certainty ; and 24 FALKNEE LYLE ; OR, tlicre is really no necessity for the attempt. There are very few old pupils, and of tliose not above half-a-dozen in the upper forms/'' The usually pale face of Meriton became almost scarlet, and the palsied limb quivered and twitched violently. A quick succession of im- perfect words conveyed the anger of the invalid — anger, which, in his days of health, the doctor would not have felt at the old usher's kindly remonstrance. There is something very distressing in the anger of the impotent, whether they are of the blind or of the paralyzed, and Ethel could hardly find words for the flowing of her tears, to calm her excited father. But when she could speak, her voice soon reached the old man's heart, and he looked at his good friend for forgiveness. " I am weak — very weak/' he murmured ; " excitable, very. Forgive me." But as there had been no offence, there was nothing to forgive. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 20 The boys at The Cedars broke up without a parting word from the master, and as they swarmed about the coaches which were to take them to the railway station, their shouts and laughter, and joyous song of Dulce Domum, reached the doctor's ear like a mournful wail — " No more ! no more V The boys and their teachers had departed, all but Mr. Bumps, who would not go, " having," as he said, " nowhere to go to." Miss Meriton also left The Cedars, to provide for her brother's future residence. Miss Meriton was, like many other maiden ladies, rather whim- sical at times, and so very independent in her notions that she was now and then rather dis- agreeable in her rejection of the most trifling civilities. For this reason she had long elected, as we have recorded, to live alone on her very small annuity, rather than share the greater com- forts of a home at The Cedars ; and it was only when her brother assured her that her presence 26 FALKNEB LYLE ; OR, as Lis housekeeper would conduce to the good order of his school, that Miss Meriton consented to become a settled inmate. But now that sorrow had come into her brother's house no captious word escaped the loving sister's lips, but all was gentleness and ready self-sacrifice. " We will case in our lots together, dear Ethel/' she said ; " and though our means will be less than formerly, there will be still enough left for comfort, and none of us ask for mere." " My dear, dear aunt," said Ethel, " I will not affect to dissuade you from this sacrifice, be- cause I know it is necessary for our dear one's sake." " Tut ! child," replied Miss Meriton, smiling ; " self-sacrifice, indeed !" " Oh yes, my poor father — it can be but pain- ful to witness daily " " And yet you will do so," interrupted Miss Meriton, " because you love him. I have loved him, as vou have done, all my life long — been THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 21 proud of liis acquirements, gratified by tlie place lie won for himself — and shall I le«ve him now ? Why, Mr. Bumps would ciy shame of me ; wouldn't you, sir?" " I should, indeed/'' replied that gentleman, blinking very rapidly; i{ and I cm/ you the power of serving our dear doctor. However, I can be of some use ; I have been canvassing the boys to persuade their parents and guardians to send them back to The Cedars, as 'our pre- mium' depends somewhat on showing a good head of pupils next half." " Good soul V said Miss Meriton ; " and I'll tell you what I've done. I saw advertised to let part of an old house at South Bay, and of which, I fancy, I have some recollection. If I am right, the place is wonderfully cheap, and is somewhat a fragment of such a house as this " " I should have thought a cottage would have been better," Observed Mr. Bumps. "No, my brother would be constantly re- 28 FALKNBR LYLE ; OR, minded of the change/' replied Miss Meriton. u However, we will make inquiries, and then decide after dne consultation " Rook Hall had been at one time the Manor House, but had been long untenanted; it had gone to decay, and the present proprietor had pulled down a part to repair the remainder. It was an odd-looking building externally now, but the rooms were invested with that air of com- fort which many associate with panelled walls, bay-windows, and roomy fireplaces. The garden had been much curtailed, but there was left green bowers cut in the thick yew hedges, grass-plats large enough for bowling-greens, and tAvo or three grand old trees, beneath whose shade the doctor could sit and listen to Ethel's voice speaking her own thoughts or reading those of others. Rook Hall did not suit everyone, and therefore, as it had remained unlet for some time after its conversion, looking like a house v " That had but one Imperfect wing to soar upon," THE STORY OF TV/O WIVES. 29 the Mcritons obtained it upon easy terms. They bade adieu to The Cedars, still keeping up a connexion with it through the post, which brought once a week a friendly letter from the kind, odd old blinking usher. 30 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, CHAPTER II. MISS MERITON TAKES A JOUBNEY, AND CERTAIN FORE- BODINGS OF EVIL HAVE AN UNEXPECTED REALIZATION — ME. MALLETT IS INTRODUCED, rpHE removal of the Meritons to their new home occupied rather more than a fortnight, Miss Mexiton undertaking the troublesome duty of putting the house in order, assisted occa- sionally by Mr. Bumps. The old usher had evidently had but small experience in such mat- ters, as he bungled sadly over the erection of the four-post bedsteads — troublesome things to con- tend with at all times, but under the efforts of Mr. Bumps the legs proved more than usually unmanageable, slipping about the room in all directions. His perseverance and good temper, however, overcame all difficulties, and when he came to arrange the books on their shelves he was absolutely perfect. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 31 One of the rooms at Rook Hall — the old name was obliged to be retained, as no other descrip- tion would have been in the least appropriate — one of the rooms closely resembled the doctor's study at The Cedars, and when the old furniture had been placed within it, it would have puzzled even a close observer to have detected the difference. The other chambers of the house were not so tractable, but that signified little, as the doctor passed most of his time in his study, and it was him that the little household cared only to gratify. And he was sensibly affected when they led him to his chair in what appeared even to him the old familiar .room, surrounded by his most valued friends upon its walls, and with whom he could still hold silent communion at in- tervals throughout the long inactive day. He turned his pale cheek to be kissed by Ethel and his sister, and then held out his shaking hand to the good friend who would not leave him in his broken fortunes. 32 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, Rook Hall soon became home to the new- comers, and the days passed quickly and pleasantly enough as new duties had devolved upon Ethel and her aunt, and even the traditional Busy Bee might have admitted them to her fellowship. Two of their old domestics had followed them from The Cedars, John and Martha Hogbm. John had been gardener there from the day the doctor had assumed the mastership, and out of the doctor's kitchen he had led Martha to be his wife. It was John's own proposal to follow the family, as he had learned, " that South Bay was a very thriving place, and there was plenty of work to be had for a jobbing gardener, and he had long wished to start in business for himself/'' he said. He and Martha were childless, and if the doctor therefore would let his wife keep her old service, and permit them to live in the house, as they did at The Cedars, he should be en the spot to keep the place tidy and do such odd woik THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 33 as Martha could not. He could employ his spare time in jobbing, and earn enough to make such an arrangement worth his while. A domestic council was held, and, after an ani- mated speech from Mr. Bumps, John's proposition was accepted nem. con. As to Martha, she was known to be what housekeepers call " a treasure/'' and in most commendable contrast to "the plagues" which infest households, disturbing the equani- mity of mistresses, and embittering the hours of relaxation of husbands. She had always called herself Martha Price before she became Martha Hogbin, and would have felt herself scandalized had any one addressed her as " Miss/' or desired her to wait at table without a cap and her back hair done up in plaits and ribbons. What she would have thought we know not of a housemaid leaving her card, or heading her note-paper with a monogram as large as a shilling ! We have received both. Martha had a silk gown, it is true, but it was a present from the doctor on her VOL. III. D 34 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, wedding-day, and it had served for high days and holidays for fourteen years. She also boasted of a green gingham umbrella; but to be the pos- sessor of a parasol like her young mistress never entered her domestic head. She always spoke of the doctor as Master, and each of the ladies as Missus, and felt herself compromised in no way by doing so. Yet Martha was one of the best of servants for all that. She was an early riser, and had her morning's work done before many indolent trollops thought of leaving their beds. She was as clean as a new pin when she brought in the urn at breakfast-time, and was always as presentable throughout the day. The cleanliest cooks must in the progress of their labours get some spot and stain, beside red faces, where the fire was a good one for roasting; but Martha, when she had " dished up," transmogrified herself into the neatest handed Phillis with the rapidity of a pan- tomime change, before she carried the dinner to THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 35 table. When questioned on these peculiarities, she sidled about/ and said " she liked work, and she didn't know how it was, but it warn't no trouble to her." What a pity that Martha was childless, or she might have trained up a troop of girls to have followed in their mother's footsteps. Martha had her weaknesses, however, and one of them was a fear of ghosts. Rook Hall was therefore not at all to her liking, as she had always associated spiritual manifestations — she called them " happyritions " — with oak-panellings, wide staircases, and great open-mouthed chim- neys; and Rook Hall possessed all those appliances. But as John was a good husband, never allowing her to go to bed alone, Martha was becoming reconciled to the Hall, although the wind roaring in the chimney, or whistling through the great trees in the garden, would often set her agape, to the great merriment of John Hogbin. One night, about four months after the occu- pation of Rook Hall by the Mcritons, Martha D 2 36 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, awoke John, and declared that she heard noises, " knockings like." John was disposed at first to tell her to be quiet, and go to sleep ; but, after a few moments' listening, he, too, heard some un- usual sounds, and, despite Martha's remonstrance, he got out of bed and went on to the landing. He soon returned, and, hurrying on part of his clothes, told Martha to lie still and not alarm the doctor or the ladies with any of her silly fancies. Martha was an obedient wife, and so she covered her head with the bed-clothes; sharing, no doubt, the popular belief that danger is less imminent if you don't see it, and that the ostrich is the wisest of birds. John was gone some time ; and when he re- turned, instead of getting into bed, he proceeded to finish dressing, and would only satisfy Martha's curiosity as to what he had seen or heard or was going to do by that unsatisfactory dissyllable " Nothing." Before he again left the room, however, he said — THE STORY OE TWO WIVES. 37 "Now you lay still, Martha, until I comes back. I'm not certain what's made that noise, but I will be, old girl, or I shall have you talk- ing of ghosts for a month to come. You're all safe, be sure o' that, or I wouldn't leave you, and I means to turn the key when I goes out, so that you may be safe when I comes back." Martha was not much comforted by this speech of her husband, not even when she heard him lock the door ; but, after a time, the sense of her personal safety and the fatigue of a day's hard work united to send her into a sound sleep. It was early morning when John returned to his bed, lying down in his clothes to save himself the trouble of re-dressing again, and Martha could get no satisfactory replies to her questions ; which ceased at last, when her hus- band's snoring assured her that his mind was undisturbed by what had occurred, be it what it might. During the next day Ethel and Miss Meriton held frequent conversations together, speaking 6b FALKNEIt LTLE; OR, in whispers, and becoming silent whenever Martha approached them. Something strange had happened Martha was certain, and her curi- osity began to assume a feeling of terror. Nor was she at all relieved when trying to open the door of the best room she found it locked and the key absent. It vras a room but rarely used, except by Ethel, and was reported to have been an oratory, " whatever that was/' Martha had said, " when the old Manor House was the abode of some lord who had been burned in a bonfire with Guy Eawkes." There was some mystery on foot Martha was certain. Now Miss Ethel — now Miss Meriton — would be absent, and John was cross when his wife questioned him : he, too, " always so good- tempered and 'fectionate." At last, after three days had passed, John spoke out — " I tell you what, old lass, I begin to think you are right ; there is sonie'nt strange goinJ on, and you and me are better out of it." THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 39 "What do you think it be, John?" asked Martha, much more frightened than she had hitherto been. " Well, I don't know," replied John, frowning, and pursing his lips together ; " it may be ghosts, and it may be not. It may be that the old place is haunted." Martha exclaimed " La !" and sat down. "You see there has been a power of smuggling done on this coast not very long ago, and them fellows as carried it on wasn't very nice in their conduct towards excisemen or informers." " Do you think murder's been done, John ?" asked Martha, trembling from head to foot. " Might, and might not, Martha," replied John, vaguely rather ; " and therefore I tell you what I've made up my mind to do. I shall take you away to-morrow to a cottage hard by, and " But Martha set up such a terrific howling at this proposition of her husband, that both Miss Meriton and Ethel heard her, and 40 EALKNEE LYLE ; OE, hastened to the kitchen to learn the cause of the terrible outcry. John explained in a few words what he had said to Martha. " But I wont go, dear ladies, I wont go V* cried the good servant ; " I know I am of use here, and I wont go for ghosts, or smugglers, or anybody, unless I am sent away by you, ladies/'' " Well, be calm, Martha/' said Ethel. " I can't, miss, until you telJ me I shan't be taken away by John — no, not so long as I can do my work." " You shall not," answered Ethel, smiling ; " and I think John will for once let me deter- mine what is for the best — will you not, John ?" John shrugged his shoulders, and said, " Yes, ma'am ; but you'll take all the risk." Ethel and her aunt spoke together for a few moments, and then Miss Meriton said — " Martha, you shall not leave us, not even for THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 41 the short time you were to have been away. We have decided to trust you with a secret, and must ask you to promise to abide by the condi- tions we must enforce/'' "I'll promise anything, miss/' said Martha, " so that I may stay here.3' " We shall not ask you to do anything very difficult/' replied Miss Meriton, smiling; "you must promise, Martha, not to speak out of the house of anything you may learn which surprises you/' "And not ask me no questions about it, if you please ma'am/' said John. " And not question your husband. There are strong reasons why you should do as I request ; and you will promise — will you not, Martha ?" " On my bended knees if you wish it, miss," said Martha. But she was told that, as her word was as binding in an upright position, she could give the required promise where she stood, and the secret was confided to her. 42 FALKNER LYLE ; Oil, It would become wearisome to recite in detail the ever-increasing anxiety of Dr. Meriton for his daughter's future. He had invested the pro- ceeds of his school, and what was left of his savings — sadly diminished by the loss of pupils — in the purchase of annuities for his own life and that of Ethel. The sum to be received was small, but sufficient to place her above actual poverty ; yet this provision did not satisfy the anxious father. " When I die she will be alone," he one clay said to his sister. " Not while I live, dear brother," replied Miss Meriton ; adding, with a smile, " I am not so very old, you know. Besides, Ethel may marry, that is more than possible, for she is a dear, charming girl.'''' " Ah ! if I could be spared to see her the wife of some worthy man, who would appreciate her goodness, and love her as she deserves to be loved/'' said the doctor, with much animation. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 43 " We have only to be patient, and that will come, Fve no doubt/' replied Miss Meriton. " But you were good and kind, Agatha, and you have not married/' said the doctor. " It was my own fault that I did not/' re- plied Miss Meriton, with a slight tremor in her voice. " I believe I was loved, and I know I loved very sincerely; but I was foolish, wicked, and trifled too much with the man who sought me." " I must have known him, Agatha, did I not ?" asked the doctor. " I think not, dear. You knew his son ? He was a favourite pupil of yours, Falkner Lyle," answered Miss Meriton, slowly. " Dear me ! and, now I remember, you also showed a partiality for that boy when he was at The Cedars." " Possibly ; he resembled his father so much." " You never confessed to that before," said the doctor ; " and now " 44 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, "And now we will talk of something else, dear doctor/'' interrupted Miss Merit on. " One does not care to discnss one's own follies. I have paid the penalty of mine, and am an old maid with a very unpromising future, if there's any truth in the adage — as I hate cats/'' The doctor gave one of his grim smiles, and changed the conversation. The winter had come, and as the domestic routine at Rook Hall was now perfectly estab- lished, and as Mr. Bumps had announced his intention of spending the Christmas vacation at South Bay, engaging his former lodgings for that purpose, Miss Meriton decided upon paying a long- deferred visit to some friends in one of the midland counties. The day after Christmas Day, therefore, saw Martha and John busy in securing in their canvas covers Miss Meriton's two black boxes, duly labelled also in Mr. Bumps's best large text-hand, and carefully corded. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 45 u I go on this journey, my darling, very re- luctantly/'' said Miss Meriton. " Why should you, dear aunt ?" asked Ethel. u Papa is no trouble to any one now, and he so wishes you to see your old friends." " Yes, I know that ; but I have no heart for my journey, nevertheless," said Miss Meriton. " I don't wish to alarm or frighten you, Ethel, but I can't divest myself of a strange fear that I shall never see your dear father living again. I can't help having this fear, though I can't justify it." " You want change, aunty. You have been such a constant nurse for so long that you are nervous, and this visit will do you a world of good. I am sure papa has acquired strength of late, and you will find him stronger and better when you return." " I trust it may be so," said Miss Meriton, st and I shall endeavour to believe so when I am away. You will write to me once or twice a week?" 46 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, " Certainly, and always with good news, I am sure," replied Ethel, kissing her aunt. " See ! here's onr preux chevalier, Mr. Bumpstead, to escort you to the station," and thereupon ensued much kissing, and some tears — more, perhaps, than are usual on such an occasion. We have little faith in "the dreamer of dreams," startling, as at times, are the realisa- tions of some of his visions. We have no patience with those dupes who profess to believe in the 'mediumship' of impudent impostors, whom it would be complimentary to call conjurors or mountebanks, and who affect to hold ungram- matical communication with the illustrious and ignoble departed at half-a-crown a-head — profane vagabonds, who do not hesitate to aver that their bonds have been loosened and their unsavoury bodies set free from prison, after the manner of the Angel and St. Paul — fellows who love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. There have been times, however, in most men's THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 47 lives, we believe, -\vlicn calamity and sorrow have been foretold — danger forewarned, though the voice of no living man has spoken the warnings. Some such revelation Miss Meriton had heard, and her soul was very sad. There were three other occupants in the com- partment in which Miss Meriton travelled, but all, with one consent, maintained that unbroken silence which distinguishes the true-born Briton when in strange company, or unintroduced. Well, this reticence has its advantages as well as its reverse. It promotes the sale of newspapers, and is largely conducive to the dissemination of light literature. It allows the contemplative to think and the drowsy to doze without offence, while the stupid are prevented an exhibition of their folly. The train stopped at the station where Miss Meriton had to alight, and the rest of her journey had to be made by coach. One of her fellow- travellers, a stout, red-faced man, of about thirty, 48 FALKNER LYLE ; Oil, who had slept nearly all the way, and whose stertorous snoring had at times been suggestive of apoplexy, was also bound for the neighbourhood of Miss Meriton' s destination. He was known at the station, the porters touching their caps as he passed, and the coach- man recognising him apparently as a regular customer, and calling him Mr. Mallett. " Got my portmanteau all right, Blackmore ?" asked Mr. Mallett. " Yes, sir. Do you ride in or out, sir V3 " Well, in to-day ; I've got a bit of a cold and must take care of myself/' replied Mr. Mallett; and then, addressing Miss Meriton, "Now, ma'am, I'll follow you." Miss Meriton bowed and took her seat in the coach, whilst Mr. Mallett kindly made similar inquiries as to the safety of her luggage as he had done about his own. " I'm an old traveller, ma'am," he said, as soon as the coach started, "and I always look after my- THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 49 self and my chattels. Blackm ore's a careful fellow, but not so careful of me as I am of myself/'' Miss Meriton smiled and said — " Perhaps not." The coach had now started. " This is slow work after the rail/' said Mr. Mallett, who seemed to have been refreshed by his long nap, and was therefore disposed to be conver- sational ; " not above eight mile an hour, though Blackmore drives lively cattle. I expect the new branch, when it's opened, will cut him up." " Poor fellow ! I hope not," said Miss Meriton, " for I confess I prefer coach travelling to the railroad." u Dear me ! You surprise me," said Mr. Mallctt ; " why the rail's like riding a racehorse against a three-legged hack. How can you prefer a coach ?" " Because 1 fancy it is safer," replied Miss Meriton. " Safer ! Lor bless you, no, ma'am," said VOL. III. E 50 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, Mallett. "I should say it's fifty to one — aye, more — seventy to one — on the rail ; and if any- body would make the bet, Fd prove it. "Why, there was not a night in the old coaching time but one or two of the north mails were spilled, or came to grief of some sort. I've had a few tips over myself, but nothing of any consequence.'" As Miss Meriton merely said " Indeed " (for to say the truth she did not much like her com- panion) Mr. Mallett changed the conversation by asking her destination, and having received the required information said — " Ah ! I live when Fm down here about six mile short of that. I shall not get out until after the second change at Castlewiek.'" Miss Meriton again said " Indeed/" and the conversation nagged. Mr. Mallett, however, was persevering. " We're having a long frost to keep Christmas in/' he ob- served ; " nearly ten clays, and the ice is thicker than I ever remember. The horse-trough, where we shall change presently, was a solid mass THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 51 when I came up yesterday. I bet a man on the coach glasses round that it was over four inches, and won ;" but as this piece of informa- tion only elicited a bow from the lady, Mr. Mallett looked out of the window and began to whistle 'pianissimo, the then popular air of "Alice Gray/' Miss Meriton took a book from her reticule, and continued to read until the coach stopped, and Mr. Mallett remarked, " We change here, ma'am, if you'd like to have any refreshment." Miss Meriton politely declined, and Mr. Mallett added — " Well, I shan't get out, either. It's cold enough to stiffen one. Hi ! Hollo ! Here, bring me a six of brandy and water, hot and no sugar." Whilst this order was being executed and the mixture consumed, the fresh horses had been brought out and put to — one of the leaders being rather skittish and troublesome. The fciu* were well bred, but all more or less showed e 2 52 PALKNER LYLE; OR, signs of hard usage, and endured possibly before they came into Mr. Blackmore's service, as the animals were in very good condition. The coachman was engaged with the ostler at the hind boot of the coach, searching for some missing parcel, whilst an old man and a boy had charge of the horses' heads. The report of a gun in an adjoining garden startled the horses. A sudden panic seemed to have seized them simultaneously, and throwing up their heads they dashed off, knocking down the old man and nearly trampling upon the boy. " Hollo ! they're off, by jingo \" said Mr. Mallett, with an expression of alarm in his face. « Off, sir ? w asked Miss Meriton ; " what do you mean ? M " They've bolted, sure enough !" replied Mallett, drawing in his head from an inspection. " No one with 'em." " Have the horses run away ? " asked Miss Meriton. THE STORY OE TWO WIVES. 53 There was no doubt of that. The rapid clatter of the horses' hoofs upon the hard road, the whirling of the wheels, the shouts of the excited people standing or running at the road- side, the faces of the frightened women rushing to their cottage doors, the fearful rocking of the coach, attested to the fact. Miss Merit on, in her alarm, made an effort to open the door of the coach. " Don't do that — don't jump, or you're killed as safe as nails !" said Mr. Mallett, retain- ing her. " We have a chance as it is — sit tight — there's nothing for it but that and good luck." Miss Meriton covered her face with her hands, and tried to obey the injunction of her companion, though the violent swaying of the coach made it very difficult to retain her seat. The well-intentioned exertions of those who endeavoured to check the frightened horses only increased the terror of the animals. With their 54 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, Leads erect, the reins broken under their feet, one of the leaders' traces dangling at his side or lashing his heels, the terrified brutes continued to tear along the road; at times, the coach escaping by a few inches contact with posts, carts and waggons, and other vehicles. Men held up their hats or spread out their arms, trying to stop the horses, but as they approached — rushing on — the boldest of their opponents fled aside, leaving the way unimpeded. " If they clear the bridge/' said Mallett, with a coolness which spoke much for his courage, i: we may be safe yet ; the brutes may stop at their next change/'' (C Have we to cross a bridge ?" asked Miss Meriton, uncovering her face and showing great alarcn. " Yes — I know every yard of the road — close to my own house. In five minutes we shall know all about it." The poor frightened woman could bear up no THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 55 longer, but sinking clown on her knees appeared to wait resignedly her approaching fate. Those five minutes of terrible suspense ! What memories,, what regrets, were crowded into them ! What a strong significance was given to the whisperings of that still small voice which she had imagined spoke of danger to her beloved brother and not to herself — to the stricken man and not to the hale woman ! A lurch of the coach, a crash of wood and iron and stone, and then a sense of falling ! The coach had struck against the bridge, tearing away the stone-work, and then it toppled over on to the ice, dragging with it the wheel-horses, and one of the leaders. The ice was firm enough to bear the weight of all, or the shrieks and moans which followed might have been hushed at once in the water of the brook. The piercing scream of one of the wounded horses added to the horror of the catastrophe, and the violent plunging of the others rendered aid more 56 FALKNEE LYLE ; OR, difficult. Most of the outside passengers lay stunned and maimed, whilst Mallett. his face bleeding but otherwise unhurt, made his way out of the interior, and lent efficient assistance by the coolness and aptitude shown in the dis- entanglement of the horses. When they were freed from the coach, the persons who had come to assist the sufferers made better progress, and poor Miss Merit on was lifted from the interior and carried to the bank. At first it was thought that she had been killed, but after Mallett had administered some brandy from a flask belonging to one of the passengers, she revived sufficiently to inspire hope, although she remained perfectly unconscious. " Take her to my house, some of you/'' said Mallett, " and send for the doctor/'' " Why not take her to the public V asked one of the men, who had calculated, possibly, that beer might be more plentiful there than at Mallett's. " Take her to my house, I say/' roared THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 57 Mallet t. " It is as near as the public, and more suited to a lady." As Mallett appeared to have some influence over many in the small crowd, Miss Mcriton was carefully conveyed to a very neat cottage, not quite a quarter of a mile from the bridge, one man having been sent on before to apprise the lady of the house of what had occurred, and to assure her of her husband's safety. Mr. Mallett having done all that could be effected with the wreck and his wounded fellow- passengers, led the way to the public, and behaved with proper liberality to all those who desired something to drink in acknowledgment of their services. 58 FALKNEB, LYLE ; OR, CHAPTER III. A GOOD SAMARITAN OF QUESTIONABLE MORALITY — A PRESENTIMENT FULFILLED. HP HE home of Mr. Mallett was, we have said, a very neat cottage externally — within it was a museum of glass, china, and gilding, in addition to a small gallery of sporting prints, principally having reference to the turf. Mrs. Mallett was worthy to be the mistress of such a home. A fine person, a fine face, fine clothes, and a superfluity of jewellery. She had been evidently expecting Mallett, and, like a good wife, she had arrayed herself at her best. Having been satisfied by the assurances of the man that her dear Teddy was all right, she gave orders to her domestics to prepare a room for the injured lady then being borne unconscious to her house. When Miss Meriton had bsen carried to the THE STORY OE TWO WIVES. 59 room prepared for her, Mrs. Mallett assisting to remove the blood-stained garments, regardless of damage to her own finery, the doctor arrived. After a careful examination of the sufferer, he shook his head gravely, and said — " This promises to be a very serious case, Mrs. Mallett ; very serious, if not fatal. Do you know the lady?" " Not in the least, doctor," replied Mrs. Mallett. " Teddy was travelling down in the coach with her, and seeing the state she was in, sent her on here — very properly." " I am afraid she will not leave you again alive/'' said the doctor. " I should like to have a second opinion. Can wc send at once to Castle- wick for Mr. Jeffcrys ? I should like his opinion." " Of course we can send," said Mrs. Mallett, throwing up the bedroom window. " Our man shall take the horse and go." And then bawling at the top of her voice, " Jim ! Jim ! Jim ! Drat the fellow, he's always out of the way when lie's 60 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, wanted," began to telegraph with a towel to the absent delinquent, whom she had recognised among the crowd in the road. The signal was seen by Jim and Mr. Mallett at the same time, and both hastened to the cottage. Mrs. Mallett gave her Teddy a very audible kiss, and then repeated what the doctor had said. Jim was soon in the saddle and away. As Miss Meriton continued insensible, the doctor suggested that as it was very desirable to communicate with her friends immediately, a search had better be made for her address : and the required information was found in Miss Meriton's card case. "South Bay!" said Mallett ; "why, that's the other side of London ; a letter will reach there sooner than a messenger. What's the time? Half an hour to post ! Write a few lines, Liz." " I shan't," said Mrs. Mallett very promptly ; THE STORY OE TWO WIVES. Gl " I ain't going to write to strangers. You know that." Mr. Mallett had forgotten for the moment that Mrs. Mallctt's caligraphy was none of the best. " Oh, very well/' said Mallett. " Here, doctor, you're the best person to write ; you're used to these jobs, and know how to put it proper." Mr. Frazer, the doctor, instantly wrote a few careful sentences, and one of the maid-servants was sent off with the letter to the post by her energetic mistress. " She's evidently a lady," said Mrs. Mallett, " her things are so good and well made, and her silk gown must have cost seven or eight shillings a yard." " What a woman you arc, Liz !" said Mallett, rather admiringly than otherwise. " I'm blowcd, doctor, if anything escapes her, except that I might be glad, and so might you, of a glass of grog, after being pitched about as I've been, and you not having the plcasantcst job on hand." 62 PALKNER LYLE ; OR, Mr. Frazer did not object to a glass of wine. Mr. Maliett, by bis wife's recommendation, bad a glass of brandy and water. In tbe course of an bonr Jim returned with tbe " second opinion/' Mr. Jeffreys. There could be no difference of opinion on tbe danger of tbe case, but it was not quite so easy to determine tbe exact nature of tbe injury sustained. We shall not expose our medical ignorance by following the two gentlemen through their professional consultation — a consultation which ended in pronouncing Miss Meriton's condition to be almost hopeless. Kind, vulgar Mrs. Maliett would not leave the injuredlady throughout the night, but herself car- ried out all the doctors' suggestions as they were made. Mr. Frazer also remained at Mr. Maliett's watching for some favourable change in the patient. No change came until the morning, and then the consciousness was only of short duration. The relapse was very discouraging. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. C3 The letter from Mr. Frazer had been addressed to "Miss Meriton, South Bay. To be opened;" and Ethel received it with some surprise, but no misgiving. It was fortunate that the letter had been given to her in her own room, or her great emotion would have attracted the attention of her father; and any sudden shock to him might have been serious indeed. There was no doubt but her aunt was in great danger — Ethel was sure of that — and it was her duty to go to her. But her father? How to excuse her absence — how to explain to him the cause — the necessity of her going ? Could Mr. Bumpstead go ? No ; her aunt — her dear, generous, self-sacrificing aunt — required truer service than even that good old friend could render. He was very ready with expedients; and Ethel felt she should be justified in using any that were pardonable to spare her father. Mr. Bumps's powers failed him : all he could suggest, after half an hour's blinking and think- 64 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, ing, was that Ethel should say that her aunt had met with an accident — she knew not what — that was true enough, and desired to have Ethel with her. This communication was made with much care and some difficulty to Mr. Meriton, who, to EtheFs great comfort, appeared to be less excited by the intelligence than she had expected. He consented to her going at once, and only con- ditioned that Mr. Bumpstead should accompany her, as John and Martha would be left in charge of their master. The weary journey, fast as the engine tore along — fast as the post-boy drove at Mr. Bumps's desire — seemed interminable. Ethel noticed the broken bridge as they passed over it, and wondered how the stone and brick-wrork could have been so displaced. She started when the post-boy drew up at Mallett's cottage, wondering again wherefore they had stopped. Ah ! she remembered the letter she had received was dated from Turf Cottage ! Leaning on Mr. Bumps's THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. G5 arm, she walked up tlic trim path, and stopped when Mrs. Mallett appeared at the door as though expecting them. It was well that her old friend was there to hear her to the house, for such intense fear for her aunt's safety had seized her that she had hardly any command over herself. Mr. Frazer was fortunately there when Ethel entered the house, as his assistance was needed to prevent her fainting. She had remem- bered on a sudden her aunt's foreboding words, and how she had interpreted them. Had they been prophetic ? Yes. One brief return to the consciousness that Ethel was kneeling beside her — one upward look of prayer, and the angel of death called her away. The day was breaking as Miss Meriton died ; and it was with difficulty that Ethel could persuade Mrs. Mallett to leave her and retire to rest. „ "I reallv can't be so cruel, miss, I rcallv VOL. III. F 66 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, can't," said the well-meaning woman ; " I can't leave you here alone and she lying there, you know. / couldn't stay here hy myself " " I have no fear of the dead, my kind friend/' said Ethel ; " and I would rather remain here for a short time, until your family is stirring ; pray go to rest, — you have already been too kind." u Not a bit of it/' replied Mrs. Mallett, making up the fire ; " and if you would really like to stay where you are, be it so by all means, and I will go and take off my clothes, and lay down for an hour or two." Ethel pressed the hand of her good hostess and thanked her earnestly again for the great loudness she had shown to her aunt and to herself, which Mrs. Mallett declared to be "no more than she'd have done for a heathen blacka- moor." It is difficult at times to reconcile one's self to the belief that those whom we have known in health and all the full enjoyment of life, are gone THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 67 from ns, — their welcome voices to be heard no more, never again to be seen in their accustomed places. It seems so strange that such a change has come. We sit and watch by the insensate form, and wonder nothing else has changed — the pictures on the walls, the objects in the room — and turn again and again to the face of the dead and marvel at its perfect stillness. Memories of kind acts and loving words lightly valued when they were done and spoken, crowd upon us, and are then acknowledged by our tears. It was thus with Ethel, as she sat by the bed- side of her who had promised so recently to be the guide and councillor of her niece, when the loving father should be taken from his child. The remembrance of that interview came back to Ethel, and her grief for the living moderated her sorrow for the dead. She thought of the poor old man sitting so many hours alone in his little room, his thoughts chiefly of her and the future which awaited her; and now his greatest v 2 63 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, earthly hops taken from him by his sister's death. How to break the sad news, and not shake too rudely the little sand of life remaining to him ? The dread of such a consequence was almost too painful to be considered. She rose from her chair, and felt the atmosphere of the room oppressive — choking. She drew aside the blind to open the lattice of the window, and the cold frosty air blew upon her face,, as she stood with her eyes closed, receiving it gratefully. When the air had revived her, she opened her eyes and saw, standing in the garden path which faced the window, her faithful friend, the old usher, with his hands clasped upon his breast. He was looking at her so imploringly and with his face so full of sorrowful meaning, that she fancied she understood him, and that he was entreating her to leave the chamber of the dead and come to him for cemfort. She bewed her head as though acquiescing to his appeal. Having left the window, she knelt for a few minutes by THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. f)9 the side of the bed and prayed for strength and comfort for the stricken man -who had looked his last npon the placid face which she now kissed, remembering the love which had been between them all for so many, many years. Ethel then closed the curtains round the bed and left the room. As the friends whom Miss Meritonwas on her way to visit, had arrived at Mr. Mallett's cottage, the arrangements of the funeral were left to them, and Mr. Bumps departed to break the painful news to Dr. Mcriton. We have no desire to linger longer in the house of sorrow than is necessary for the purposes of our story. It needed all the care and skill of the kind friend who had been entrusted with the painful disclosure to the poor doctor to avoid the shock to his already shattered constitution, and which. Ethel dreaded so much. Many weeks elapScd before the doctor could be said to have recovered from the effects of the suddenness 70 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, of his sister's death, and then it was only to make him more contemplative of his own con- dition— more anxious concerning the possible future of his daughter. " My trust is in God/'' he would say, " but human weakness will prevail at times, and I re- member what trials, what sorrows, surround the happiest lives, and you, so weak and gentle, will have to fight and to suffer alone — alone, my child." " God will raise me up friends as I shall need them, dear father," Ethel would reply. " Cast all your care upon Him, for he careth for you." And thus by her own brave confidence in those promises which she had been taught to regard from her childhood, she found courage for her- self and comfort for her father. Mr* Bumps had returned some time be- fore this conversation to his duties at The Cedars, and the poor doctor had no other companionship than that of his books. His daughter Ethel was much occupied with house- THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 71 hold cares during the day, and she often re- gretted that her father had no acquaintance to amuse him when she was absent and when the weather was not fine enough to allow John Hogbin to take the doctor out in his wheel- chair. It was, therefore, with great pleasure that Ethel heard her father had met with an old pupil during one of his excursions. " I don't know if you remember him/' said the doctor ; " his name is Henry Brownlow." Ethel thought she had some faint recollection of the name and of the fair boy who owned it. " He recognised me in a moment/" said the doctor, " changed as I am ; and remained with me all the morning, walking by my chair/' " I am so glad, dear, that you have found a companion \n said Ethel, clapping her hands. " Well, to say the truth, so am I ; a little masculine talk will be very acceptable, I assure you/' observed the doctor, with one of his poor grim smiles. 72 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, " Mr. Brownlow, I suppose,, is only a visitor at South Bay ?" asked Ethel. " Well,, I suppose not, but he said the place "would be veiy pleasant in the spring, as though he expected to be here until that time." " It will be very agreeable if he should remain/'' said Ethel. " Did you invite him to call V* " Yes," replied the doctor, " he appeared to know that we had come to reside here, and he inquired very kindly after you, my dear." " I am much obliged," said Ethel, dropping a little curtsey playfully ; »" and if he will only come and chat with you, he shall have the most gracious reception from me, I promise him." " He is a very agreeable talker, and an un- commonly good-looking man," said the doctor, " so take care of your heart, my child ;" adding, after a pause, " though I should rejoice to " Ethel placed her hand upon her father's lips, and then kissed his cheek, saying — " You will make me fancy that you arc bring- THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 73 ing a man-trap into the house, and then I shall be too frightened to receive Mr. Brownlow. When do yon expect him to call V3 " This evening, probably/' replied the doctor. " I was too judicious, knowing how busy you are, to ask him to call in the morning/'' " The very time, if you are a prisoner, that I should like him to visit you/'' said Ethel. " But we shall see. If he really is an agreeable, kind fellow, I shall not hesitate to enlist him and order him on morning duty." Mr. Brownlow soon availed himself of the doctor's invitation to call at Book Hall. When introduced to Ethel, there was considerable con- fusion in his manner, and for some time after- wards he appeared to compel himself to talk, rather than to give free utterance to the thoughts which arose in his mind. And this restraint appeared to continue whenever Ethel was present during their next three or four meetings. Ethel at last ventured to observe that she was afraid 74 FALKNER LYLE J OR, her presence was a restraint upon Mr. Brown- low. This remark was made at a moment when the doctor had dropped off into one of the frequent dozes to which his malady rendered him liable. " I confess, Miss Meriton, that there is some truth in your remark/'' said Brownlow. " Why should there be ?" asked Ethel, sur- prised. Brownlow paused before he answered, and then he said — " Some years ago you were much in the society of one of our boys — young Lyle." Ethel felt the colour mount into her face — she knew not wherefore. " He and I were not good friends at one time/' said Brownlow, " and I have thought — thought, perhaps, that he might have spoken of me to my disadvantage " " Never to me/' replied Ethel, quickly. "Falk- ner Lyle was a very generous, noble fellow/"' THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 75 " As no one knows better than myself/' said Bro wnlow, " and before I left we were like brothers/'' u I am glad of this explanation/' said Ethel, u and now you will not make me feel that I am de trop." " I have never felt yon to be in that posi- tion/' said Brownlow, in a soft, low voice ; " I have always remembered you as one to be admired, not feared." " I did not intend to ask for a compliment/' replied Ethel, " as I dislike " " Indeed I did not intend to offend," said Brownlow, earnestly; adding in a lighter tone, " you must remember what desperate execution you made amongst the boys when you came to live at The Cedars. The two first forms admired you to a man, and the epidemic extended, I believe, to the fourth or fifth." Ethel was no prude, and therefore she said, " I had some intimation certainly, that I was a 76 FALKNBE LYLE ; OR, very dangerous little person at that time, but I am glad to know that none of my admirers suffered either in growth or appetite in conse- quence/'' Brownlow laughed at this happy conviction of Ethel, and the noise woke up the doctor. " Ton my word, I deserve to lose your jest, for being rude enough to fall asleep," said the doctor. " May I ask you to repeat the joke?" " Oh yes, papa," replied Ethel ; and then, to Brownlow's slight confusion, she repeated, nearly word for word, the conversation which had taken place. " It was fortunate for you boys," said the doctor, smilingly, " that I did not suspect the existence of this epidemic, as you call it, for though we know ( amor nullis medicabilis herbis* I fancy I could have found a plant called betula, or birch, which would have effected a speedy THE STORY 01' TWO WIVES. 77 The doctor laughed at his own pleasantry, and as he was necessarily the best judge of its merits, Ethel and Brownlow not only laughed also, but fairly applauded him. Mr. Brownlow certainly made himself very agreeable for the rest of the evening, and after a light supper took his departure. John and Martha then conveyed the doctor to his bed, and Ethel came to kiss him and bid good night. Her room communicated with her father's by an opening covered by a curtain, so that she might be in readiness, should assistance be required during the night. It was Ethel's practice to read every night in a good old book, which is not so much venerated now-a-days as it was wont to be by good and wise men who have gone before us; and as she was thus employed she heard, she fancied, her father sob more than once, and when she listened, murmur, as though in prayer. Believing him to be oppressed by some painful dream, she drew aside the curtain at the door- 7S FALKNER LYLE ; OR, way and looked in, expecting to find him sleep- ing. To her sorrow and surprise his eyes were open and glistening with tears. " What is the matter, dear father V asked Ethel. The doctor held forth his shaking hand, as though seeking hers, before he answered, " The old grief, dear Ethel ! — the old terrible fear. I have been recalling words which have been said to-night, and they set me dreaming for a time — and then — my child ! my child \" Oh yes ! Ethel knew that the old sorrow and the old fear had taken hold of him and were tearing him like evil spirits; but there were exorcisms to be found in the good old book, and Ethel used them to soothe the desponding man. The pupil and the master soon became fast friends, as the commendable custom at The Cedars of telling no tales out of school had left the doctor in ignorance of a circumstance which may be in the remembrance of others. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 79 When the day was fine enough for the doctor to go abroad, Mr. Brownlow was always his companion, regaling him with scraps of news and such other subjects for chat as he had been able to collect together. When the weather was unfavourable, Mr. Brownlow would call, either before or after the doctor's early dinner, and so relieve the day of much of its loneliness. Now and then Mr. Brownlow accepted the doctor's invitation to pass the evening with him and Ethel, who could then find leisure to add the exercise of her accomplishments as a singer and player to the enjoyment of the party. The bearing of Brownlow towards Ethel was most respectful, never again offending by any complimentary remarks, or showing her other attentions than were her due as the daughter of his friend. Such devotion to her father, such respect of herself, created in Ethel a feeling of the strongest gratitude — stronger than years of ordinary 80 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, friendliness conld have inspired, and which the ingenuous girl took no pains to conceal. It was impossible, in the constant inter- communion between the doctor and his young friend, that the one ever- re current anxiety for Ethel's future should not have betrayed itself. It did so, and after a time it became a frequent subject of conversation between them. How much Mr. Brownlow regretted that his own isolated position did not allow of an intro- duction to any friend who could accept Ethel as a charge upon their care and tenderness ? Had his mother been living there would have been no want of home or guardianship. But she was dead, and there had been a long estrangement in his family, too long for reconciliation, even if he were to seek it. One afternoon, when the doctor had been more than usually despondent, having talked long on the subject most painful to him, Mr. Brownlow laid his hand upon the doctor's arm, THE STORY OE TWO WIVES. 81 and said, pausing every now and then, as though fearing to offend — " I hardly know how to speak to you, to make myself understood, without, perhaps, offending you too much to be permitted to continue the friendship which has sprung up so unexpectedly, so strongly upon my part, that to lose it would give me more pain than any tiling else in the world could do." " You cannot offend me, say what you will ; your kindness has been too great/'' replied the doctor. " There is my difficulty," said Brownlow ; " I know how much more my poor civilities are valued than they deserve to be, and that convic- tion makes me hesitate to speak what has been in my heart for long — yes, for years. You must not think my presumption lias such a source — no, sir, no." " What would you say ? Speak plainly, my dear friend," said the doctor. VOL. III. G 82 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, " I have thought of one protector, of one who would devote every hour of his life to Ethel, if he were believed to be worthy of the trust," said Brownlow, in a tremulous voice. " You mean yourself, my friend," replied the Doctor, grasping Brownlow's hand. " I do." The two friends remained silent for some time, the doctor's strong emotion choking his utterance. " Why should — why should it not be ?" asked Meriton, with great effort. " Because Ethel would not have it so," replied Brownlow j u I know she cannot love me, kind, most kind, as she is always, thanking me by her looks more than by words ; I know she is only grateful for what I may have done for you, and that is all." " Have you ever spoken to her ?" asked Meriton. " Never. I should have offended her had I THE STORY OP TWO WIVES. 83 done so," replied Brownlow ; " I dare not risk doing that. I am sure she would reject me/' ' ' I do not think so/' said the doctor ; " I do not. She must esteem you ; cannot be insen- sible to your goodness, your devotion to me ; and knowing, as she would do, that her accept- ance of you" — he folded his trembling hands and raised his eyes — " would let me depart in peace, she could make only one answer." " I dare not risk the question." " Then I will do so," said Meriton, « for I have confidence in your worthiness, confidence in your love for my darling Ethel ; and, if I know her, she will trust you also." Brownlow knelt and pressed the doctor's hands to his lips, and said how strong his love had grown, increasing day by day, until it would not let him rest, urging him to make the avowal he had done, although despairing of acceptance. That now he almost dared to hope, finding an advocate in Ethel's father. g 2 S4 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, Brownlow spoke the truth, but he was not made brave by his love, neither did it make him generous, to our thinking. That evening Ethel was told by her father of the love she had won, and the knowledge of it alarmed her. She entreated not to be pressed to answer. She allowed all the goodness, kind- ness, and devotion which her father claimed for his friend, but she could not say she loved him— loved him as she ought to love her husband. The advocate would not be silenced. The next day, and the next, he pleaded for his client — for him- self. He prayed to die in peace — to live out the little remnant of his life in peace. It was in Ethel's power to permit both, and knowing how he had loved her, how he only feared to go to his rest for her sake, would she be stubborn of will, and not accept the protector who had come to her so unexpectedly ? Ethel bowed her head upon her father's neck, and answered — "Yes." THE STOltY OF TWO WIVES. S 5 CHAPTER IV. A MAERIAGE WITHOUT LOVE OR BRIDESMAIDS — A WEDDING BREAKFAST — MEETING OF OLD ACQUAINTANCE. TpTHEI/S wedding was a very sorry affair. No girl of spirit would have consented to have been shorn of her bridesmaids and orange- flowers, and other bridal adornments, and have gone to church with her bridegroom, and Mr. Bumps to give her away. True, Martha had, after much coaxing, persuaded John to remain in attendance on the doctor, whilst she stole away to the church, where she added to the solemnity of the scene by crying, as though it had been Ethel's funeral and not her wedding. It was Ethel's wish that her marriage should be solemnized as quietly as possible, and to this desire Mr. Brownlow gave a ready acquiescence. It had cost poor Ethel many tears — many hours 86 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, of painful contest with herself — before she could submit to her father's entreaties that she would accept Brownlow as her husband. Her honest heart regarded almost as a sin its bestowal where she did not love ; but the prayers of her beloved father — the hope that she might add some little sunshine to his clouded life — overcame her scruples> and she repeated tows which were to bind her as with a chain of iron. For a few short months she was rewarded for her submission by the consciousness of the happiness she had procured for her father — for a few short months only, as death, which had once seemed so terrible to the enfeebled man, came to him like a welcome angel. Although Henry BrownlowV name was not quite represented by Byron's line — " Linked with one virtue and a thousand crimes," he was a very bad fellow. The boy had, in his THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 87 case, been father to the man, and he had become more mean, more covetous, more tricky, as he had grown older — almost the only bright excep- tion to his general unworthiness being his true and earnest love for Ethel. At the time of his marriage he possessed a moderate competency, and, though his circle of acquaintance was very limited, he might have commanded respect, and made the lives of Ethel and himself enjoyable. His claim to the position of a gentleman was admitted, and he was the member of a club whose doors were somewhat strictly guarded. To gratify Ethel, her husband had taken a small detached villa some four miles from London, and the ordering of her little garden, and the superintendence of her house affairs, afforded her amusement during those hours when Brownlow was absent. He usually dined at home, and in the summer evenings drove Ethel about the pleasant lanes so common to the suburbs of SS FALKN1& LYLE ; OR, the metropolis. In the winter-time he more frequently dined at his club, sometimes staying later than was quite proper to a model husband ; but then he had fewer calls to the city, and the mornings were devoted to drives or walks with Ethel. Martha and John had accompanied their young mistress to her new home. The little garden scarcely afforded employment for John ; and, as he was not presentable as a groom, he felt himself rather an incumbrance at times. He therefore went again into business as a job- bing gardener, and lived in lodgings. Alec, the groom, had been in Mr. Brownlow's service up to the time of that gentleman's long visit to South Bay, when, not being needed, he had received what he had called " his ticket/' and been left to his own resources. Having returned to his old service, he was continually de- vising various plans for balancing arrears; but found, to his disgust, that Martha kept her THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 89 honest hands on the larder, and could not be convinced that the ale and wine under her charge were at the consumption of the servants. Alec had therefore to confine himself to the perquisites of the stable; and, as Mr. Brownlow was not an open-handed man, he made but little out of them. There were advantages, however, connected with Mr. Brownlow's service which made it a desirable situation to Alec, who had a passion for betting. Indeed, he had at one time been a ring man, until he lost more than he could pay, and became, in the slang of the turfites, "■ a welcher/' or, in other words, a man disqualified by his defalcations from pursuing his disreputable calling. Mr. Brownlow was unknown as a betting-man, being rarely seen on a race- course, or at the Corner (now a thing of the past), yet, by some strange means, he generally contrived to "get on" the right horses for trifling sums, which, when aggregated, amounted to a large 90 FALKNER 1YLE ; OR, balance in his favour. As Alec's predilection was well known to his master, he was occasion- ally allowed to " stand in" a pound or two ; and, though Mr. Brown low was very exact in deduct- ing his servant's losses, the end of the season was generally productive of gain to Alec. For this " consideration" the servant kept all his master's secrets, and performed any "pumping" or "touting" that might be required to help to success. The time was at hand when the two workmen were to be more on an equality. There was no game at cards requiring skill in the player at which Brownlow was not an adept ; and, as afternoon whist was much favoured at his club, he was generally to be found at one of the tables. He was not always successful, but his skill and temper gave him great advantages over many of his opponents, and he frequently rose a winner. Although the rules of the club restricted the play to crown points, private bets were often THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 91 added, which made the stakes valuable. Brown- low, despite his good play, would not at all times take bets offered to him ; but it had come to be remarked that, whenever a deferred meeting was suggested, he would always accept, and was then generally distinguished by a run of luck that made him a winner. Such a meeting had been arranged, and the play had been greatly in the favour of Brown- low, although his partner had held but indifferent cards. Much advantage had been gained by the cutting, Brownlow's opponents never receiving an honour when he had to divide the cards. This singularity struck one of the players so forcibly, that, when the last game was at an end, he called the waiter, and, giving him the cards, re- quested that they might be kept safely until the next day. Brownlow affected not to notice what had been done, but his lips went very pale and moved visibly. He then appeared to be surprised at the lateness of the hour, and left the card-room. 92 FALKNER LYLE J OR, 11 1 am sure no man here will be offended at what I have done when I explain my reason," said the member, who had, as it were, impounded the cards ; " let us go and examine the packs, and, if my suspicion is wrong, I owe 33rownlow an apology."" The three members then went to the secre- tary's room, and sent for the waiter and the cards. " Look at those two packs, Mercer/' said the member who had spoken first ; " are those the club cards T3 Mercer carefully examined the packs, and then said — " I don't think these are the club cards." " Why not ?" u Because they seem rather smaller, sir, though they are the same make/' replied Mercer. The difference in size was not perceptible to the members. " Stop a moment, gentlemen, these cards have THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 93 been doctored," said Mercer. Club waiters arc generally knowing fellows, and Mercer placed one of the suspected cards edgeways upon the back of another. It was found to be very slightly convex, and was a court-card. The honours were then sorted out, and the same ex- periment showed a similar result. The lower cards were then tried and proved to be perfectly straight ; but when placed on end they were found to be slightly concave. The cards were then gathered together, and Mercer showed that, cut them as he would, no court-card would be trump. " Thank you, Mercer, that will do ; you can go," said the member. " And now, gentlemen/'' he continued, when Mercer had left the room, " as it is evident we have been playing with false cards, and as I am sure we can acquit each other of dishonourable practices, I shall cut Mr. Brownlow, and be prepared to tell him my rea- son for doing so." 94 FALKSER LYLE ; OR, " Do you believe him to be a cheat Vs " I do." " Then let us detect him in the act and expose him." " He won't try the same trick again, as I am sure he knew I suspected him," said the first member. "Then bring the matter before the com- mittee." " Not so ; we can give no proof of the scoun- drel's trick, we can only deny our own compli- city,, and he would do the same. Let us cut him, and, if he requires an explanation, tell him what we all know to be the truth." This alternative was accepted ; the member who had been Brownlow's partner insisting upon re- turning his winnings, the money found its way to the poor-box of one of the police-offices. Mr. Brownlow was not likely, however, to give his indignant fellow-members the opportu- nity of cutting him for some time to come, as he THE STORY OE TWO WIVES. 95 had left word with the hall-porter that he was going out of town, and would call for his letters on his return. After a few weeks Mr. Brown- low sent in his resignation. And this was the husband of Ethel Mcriton ! Happily for her, her own life had been so pure — so secluded — that she knew little of the wickedness there was in the world ; so that when their few friends began to receive her visits coldly, and discontinue calling upon her, she was distressed by supposing that the cause of the change was with her, and not with her hus- band. Evil tidings travel fast, and Brownlow's seces- sion from his club, and the suspicion attached to him, soon became the gossip of most of the smoking-rooms, travelling thence into outside society. Ethel's married life could not be called a happy one, as there was wanting that indescri- bable sympathy which is needed to make the 96 FALKNER LYLE J OR, happiness of home. Two such natures could not be in unison, for, however considerate Brownlow might be towards Ethel, it was impossible for him to conceal altogether the meanness of his character, and to provoke unfavourable contrast with the good father she remembered with such enduring affection. But Ethel never thought of blaming her husband. She attributed all the discomfort which came to her as due to herself, and to the conditions on which she had allowed herself to become a wife. She had not loved Henry Brownlow at any time, and that holy passion would not grow in the uncongenial soil of a forced marriage. She did her duty bravely, however, and when Mr. Bumps came to spend a day or two with her and little Ethel, she never let a shadow be seen, but surprised her old friend by her cheerful contentedncss. True, that upon those occasions Brownlow was always absent, as the old pupil was no favourite with the old usher, and the reason of his dislike might have been traced back to The Cedars. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 97 Ethel was delighted one day to receive her lord's commands to pack up as soon as possible for a visit to Scarborough, and the necessary preparations were soon made. Alec had been sent on with the traps, and to York, with instructions to await the arrival of his master and mistress, whilst Martha and Miss Ethel were sent down to South Bay, as the air of that place was thought to be more suitable to the child. A pleasant drive from York to Scarborough gave change and relief to the long journey, and Alec, who had been sent on with the luggage, had been fortunate enough to secure apartments overlooking the sea, as the season was at its height. The visitors were principally from the great Yorkshire towns, as it was before the time when London people had forsaken llamsgate and Margate for the more distant northern shores of our " tight little island." Why Mr. Brownlow had selected this more VOL. III. h 98 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, distant locality he had not explained, and Alec only guessed at the reason. Two or three days had been passed as days usually are passed at a watering-place ; but as the horse had now rested after his long journey, a drive was proposed, and, of course, accepted, by the contented Ethel ; and was selected as the place to be visited. The journey had been more than half ac- complished, when there was seen approaching a spanking grey horse, driven by a sporting- looking man, accompanied by a lady, whose long ostrich feather streamed in the wind. As the two vehicles were passing each other, the lady of the feather gave a loud exclamation of delight, and frantically waved her parasol and hand- kerchief in recognition of Ethel. " Dear me ! — pray stop, Henry — that must be that kind creature, Mrs. Mallett f and it certainly was that demonstrative lady. " Oh dear ! if I didn't know you again in a THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 99 moment," said Mrs. Mallett— " didn't I, Teddy ? And you knowed me, it seems, ma'am. I am so pleased to see you again." " It would have been strange indeed if I could forget you, after all your kindness," re- plied Ethel. "How are you, Mr. Mallett? Well, I hope, and down here only for pleasure ?" " Only for pleasure, ma'am, I'm glad to say/' answered Mallett, his eyes rather more directed to Alec in the dickey than to the lady he was addressing. "Let me introduce my husband to you. Mr. Brownlow — and my kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. Mallett, of whom you have heard me speak so often." Mr. Brownlow raised his hat rather formally, as did Mr. Mallett, whilst his good lady, as he called her, waved her feather rather too violently to be graceful, and smiled the delight no doubt she experienced at again meeting with Ethel. H 2 ] 00 FALKNER LYLE ; OK, As both the horses began to be rather fidgetty, the interview "was brought to a close before either Ethel or Mrs. Mallett thought of exchanging addresses, and it was as well it had so happened. u What a very vulgar woman, Ethel, to be sure !" said Brownlow. " I suppose she is," answered Ethel — " but her kindness to me and to my dear aunt was most remarkable." "What is her husband?" asked Brownlow, after a short pause. u I really don't know," replied Ethel. " They have a very pretty cottage, rather over- furnished, and Mr. Mallett seems to be a great deal from home." " I fancy so," said Brownlow, more to himself than to Ethel. No other incident of the drive needs to be recorded. Stay — yes. If Mr. Brownlow could have seen his man Alec during that brief THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 101 conversation with Mr. Mallctt, lie would have wondered wliat could have made liis servant's brazen head glow as though it had been heated in a furnace. The explanation came in the course of the next day, when Alec was sauntering along with his hands in his pockets, and wondering what were the odds against his meeting with Mr. Mallett. He had partly concluded that the odds were the other way, when he came face to face with that gentleman. " Hullo \" said the calculator, looking rather stupid for such a sharp fellow as he was. " Well, Master Alec," replied Mallctt, " this is a rum go, tumbling over you down here, aint it ? I thought your address had been in the other hemmysphcre by this time" " You aint going to be hard on a fellow, I hope, after all this time/' said Alec. u I know I 1 put you in the hole/ but I didn't mean it •" and a powerful asseveration clenched the assertion. 102 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, " Not mean it Vs asked Mr. Mallett ; " why, you knew tlie hoss was amiss, and let me back him for what you got out of the quack doctor." Alec took more oaths, swore more, that he was innocent of any intention of wrong to Mr. Mallett, and that he had erred in ignorance. " Well, it don^t much matter now," said Mr. Mallett, " and I aint one to rake up old scores ; but it precious nigh floored me." "Well, I'm glad to know it didn't quite," replied Alec ; " I ' shut up lame' enough the next Liverpool. Never got over it." " How long have you been in service ?" asked Mallett, abruptly, and without any word of con- dolence to the bankrupt " welsher." " I've lived with Mr. Brownlow, off and on, about four year, now," answered Alec ; " and " — he paused — " and if I knew what your game was down here, I think I could ' put you on ' to some'at as would make up all you ever lost through me, Teddy." THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 103 Mr. Mallett regarded liis old acquaintance very steadfastly for a time, and tlien said — " A burnt child dreads the fire. Alec ; but I did once think you a good 'unhand a man to be trusted." " Think so again/'' said Alec. " Just answer me this. You seem in such c tiptop feather ' that I fancies you must have retired from busi- ness. Was that your missus with you V "Yes, or I shouldn't have let her speak to yours/' replied Mallett. " What a fine creature she is, Teddy. What a fine neck and shoulder, and c carries her own head/ don't she ?" " She does all that, Alec/' replied Mr. Mallett, evidently touched by his friend's praise of the handsome Mrs. Mallett. " She must cost you something for feathers and clothing ?" said Alec, interrogatively. " Well, she shall have as long as I have, for I'm proud of her !" replied Mallett. " And now, what's your ' little game/ Alec ? I am at 104 FALKNER LTLE; Oil, all in the ring, as I ever was — willing and ready." " You saw my master ?" asked Alec, looking very knowing. " Yes ; he's a gentleman, Mrs. Mallett says." " And my missus ¥' asked Alec. " Yes ; she was a clergyman's daughter, Mrs. Mallett says, and yet as affable as an apple- wonian." " They're free of all society," said Alec ; " and I suppose you're not arrived at that, Teddy ?" Teddy owned that he had not been presented at court, and laboured under want of introductions to the best society. " My master, Teddy " — here Alec paused, as thougli to impress his friend with the value of the information he was about to communicate — " my master is the best player at whist, cribbage, all fours, and — and thing- o-my, of any man in England, or Europe, come to that." " Well," asked Mallett, " what's that to me ?" THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 105 " This, Teddy " — Alec looked oracular again — " if you two could be brought together ; you, -with your knowledge of how to do it, and he, with the skill to do it, what mightn't come of it ?" " Oh, nonsense \" replied Mallett ; " your master's too much of a swell to take me for a pal. If he wasn't, I think I know of a chance." And Mr. Mallett raised his eyes as though he were trying to look like a saint. " He is a swell, Teddy," said Alec, almost in a whisper ; " but he's to be had, for all that. He's like a good half-crown that's been cracked : he's lost his ring, but he's worth his money." " What the do you mean ?" asked Mal- lett. " I hate figures of speech ; say what you have to say ; say out plain." Alec then informed Mr. Mallett that during the time he had been waiting at the club door for his master, an acquaintance had grown up between himself and the hall porter, and meeting that party one arternoon, they had looked in at 106 FALKNER LYLE ; OK, a public,, and had two four pen'orths of gin-and- water; and that there and then, no better and no worse, did the hall porter tell Charley that Mr. Brownlow had been found out cheating at cards, and had been obleeged to leave the club ; and on which the hall porter stood another glass, to bind Alec to tell nobody what he had told him. Mr. Mallett listened with great attention to this recital, and then confessed that it really seemed to open up a great career for himself and Mr. Brownlow. 11 But how to get at him ?" asked Mallett. "Well, you must work the missus/'' replied Alec. " Get her to call — there's where we live — 46, round the corner. My missus is the inno- centest thing as ever broke bread, and would be very glad to see her. You must then l work the horackle' for yourself." Mr. Mallett " required time for reflection," he said, but he had already made up his mind THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 107 tliat the fallen gentleman should tumble a little lower into the pit. When Mr. Mallett and Alec parted, the latter worthy found himself richer by a sovereign through the liberality of his friend. Mr. Mallett did not adopt Alec's suggestion, as he never allowed his handsome wife to have part in any of his clever schemes. She had been honestly brought up, and was receiving good wages as a lady's maid when she attracted the admiration and regards of Mr. Mallett. He told her he was a commission agent, and spoke of noblemen and gentlemen as his intimates, calling some by their Christian names, others by their titles, until the lady's maid (who, of course, admired the aristocracy) glowed with the thought that in marrying her Teddy, she was about to get into the blue book. Mallett, like men of his class, was profuse with his money when he had it, and he had had a long run of luck when he was introduced to us. 108 PALKNER LYLE ; OR, Mrs. Mallett, therefore, wanted for nothing ; and as one of her mistresses had worn ostrich fea- thers, she had a feather — the longest she could get. As her last lady wore velvet, Mrs. Mallett could not do less than invest her comely person in the stifFest, and the stoutest, and the brightest that money could buy. She was rather posed by the jewellery. Diamonds ! oh, how she loved diamonds ! but they sold such little ones for twenty pounds that she gave up the notion of more than one ring, and then indulged in almost barbaric splendour bought at a French shop in the Burlington Arcade. No, Mr. Mallett would not bring Mrs. Mallett again on the scene if he could help it. He was a man of the world, and knew that he could not keep his place out of his class. The quarry he had in view flew high, and a true falcon was needed to strike it down. Time pressed, however, and he resolved to give himself up to his good work. For the next day or two THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 109 he never allowed Brownlow to stir abroad with- out intercepting him. A bow of respectful re- cognition was the only approach he made to in- timacy. They met at last under circumstances favourable for Mr. Mallett's purpose. They talked of horses, dogs, racing. The " pots of money" some men had made. The folly of preaching against betting. It was only stock-jobbing in another form. Who wouldn't bet if he could always make a certainty of win- ning ? And if at racing, why not at any other game ? Men pitted their skill against skill, and if the chance of a card was to win or lose, who would be the loser if he could help it ? This dangerous talk had a hidden meaning, and at last both speakers seemed to understand each other, and Brownlow said — " Surely you would not approve of a man winning by — unfairly V* " By the more skilful play, I would/' replied Mallett; and as Brownlow shook his head, he 110 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, added, " Are you not a member of the club r " I was/-* answered Brownlow, almost in a whisper, and turning rather pale for a moment. " 1 know you were/'' replied Mallet t, in the same tone ; " and now, I fancy, we may talk more free, Mr. Brownlow." Mallett then, with great care in the choice of his words, suggested the possibility of introducing to Brownlow — not by Mallett himself — a wealthy young man, who had more confidence in his ability as a player at ecarte than he was supposed to be able to justify, and — well, Mr. Brownlow and Mr. Mallett came to understand each other, and so they parted. And Ethers fate was linked to this man, Brownlow ; for richer or poorer — in sickness and in health — in shame and wickedness — she must be with him, doing her wifely duty. And she will do it. On the third day succeeding the interview we THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. Ill have just described, Brownlow, with some hesita- tion, informed his wife he had heard that little Ethel was not so well as to be satisfactory, and that, if she wished, Alec should go with her to South Bay. He would go himself, but the busi- ness which had brought him to Scarborough would detain him a few clays. Poor Ethel reproached herself for leaving the child, even in the care of Martha ; and thanking her husband for his consideration, she made in- stant preparations for her journey. Without remaining in London to go to her own house, Ethel hastened on to South Bay, the road seeming to lengthen as she went. Again and again she condemned herself for leaving the child, and resolved never again to transfer her charge to another. When the fly which had brought her from the station stopped at the lodging where Martha was with the child, Ethel's heart beat quickly. There were lights in most of the windows, and 112 TALKNER LYLE \ OR, the sound of a piano came harshly, unkindly, to her ear. Judge of her delight, when, as the door was opened, she heard Martha's voice singing merrily to her little charge, then well and happy ! Mr. Brownlow had been misinformed, unduly alarmed, and Ethel had. omitted to ask him who had been his informant. The long and anxious journey proved too fatiguing for Ethel, and for more than a week she was prostrate and feverish. She had no letter from her husband all that time, and his silence was a stronger proof of his estimation of her than pages would have been, written when his mind was occupied with mean and wicked schemes — so mean and wicked that he could not pursue them in the presence of his pure and guileless wife. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 113 CHAPTER V. BIRDS OF A FEATHER COLLECT TOGETHER AT SCARBOROUGH — MRS. MALLETT GIVES A LITTLE DINNER. rFHE quarry which Mr. Mallett had marked down was the son of a large millowner. The wealth which Mr. George Roberts inherited had been collected at first shilling by shilling, until money bred money, as it is said to do when in the keeping of those lucky fellows who, Midas- like, turn all they touch into gold. But it will sometimes happen that, as these fortunate accu- mulators cannot bequeath their experience and their prudence with their wealth, the young in- heritor becomes oppressed with his abundance, and resorts to many devices to relieve himself of his superfluity. He will always find knaves and sycophants ready enough to help him. VOL. ITT. I 114 FALKNEK LYLE ; OR, Mr. George Roberts had adopted two of the readiest means of making himself a beggar — play and the turf — and by the associations attendant on those pursuits he had become acquainted with Mr. Mallett. "With great self-denial Mr. Mallett had refrained from making small sums of money out of the young gentleman, having resolved to go for a stake when a fitting opportunity should present itself. The introduction to Brownlow seemed to furnish the means, and the opportunity was to be made. The billiard-room scon allowed Brownlow and Mr. Roberts to form a slight acquaintance with each other. Two or three games, won by Mr. Roberts, gave that young gentleman a favourable opinion of Mr. Brownlow, who paid his trifling losses with a smile, and was not more successful when he was again the antagonist of Mr. Roberts. They bowed when they passed each other on the Parade, and when Mr. Brownlow was driving THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 115 his handsome chestnut horse in the neatest of phaetons. The spicier spun his web very slowly. As the necessity arose, Mr. Mallett became less scrupulous about employing Mrs. Mallett as an innocent accessory to the accomplishment of a great design; and Mr. Roberts was invited to step into her lodgings, in order that the " Racing Calendar" might be consulted on an important difference of opinion as to the pedigree of a horse. As chance would have it, Mr. Brownlow also called to apologize for Mrs. Brownlow leaving Scarborough without calling upon Mrs. Mallett, to thank her again for kindness never to be forgotten. Mr. Mallett did not shake hands with Mr. Brownlow, but received him with a kind of deference, and appeared to be dragged into the conversation, until at last he became moderately familiar. Mrs. Mallett had been called aside by her husband during a conversation between the i 2 116 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, other two gentlemen ; and afterwards, with some confusion of manner, she said — " I hope you won't take it rude of me, Mr. Brownlow, but as you're a bachelor like, now your good lady is away, Mallett and me should feel it a honour if you would dine with us at six to-day/' " Really, you are very good, madam, and it is impossible for me to refuse any request of yours," replied Brownlow. " It is very lonely dining by oneself, and I accept your invitation with pleasure." " Well, that's kind and friendly of you, and I'm much obliged to you," said Mrs. Mallett. " I'm sure I shouldn't have ventured to have asked you if * Teddy' hadn't." " My dear Mrs. Mallett," interposed Brownlow, " the obligations are all on my side." "And perhaps, Mr. Roberts, if you are not better engaged, you will join us, sir ? — a family dinner," said Mallett. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 117 Mr. Roberts had no better engagement ; and, as his mother and sister had gone to Harrogate, he was en seule, and glad of company. The spiders were finishing the web. The preparations for this family dinner occu- pied Mrs. Mallett during the remainder of the day, and the lodging-house keeper was rather ap- palled at first by the amount of provender which continued to arrive until a late hour of the after- noon. A little reflection, however, reconciled her to the importations, as she knew that her own larder would be benefited by the profusion. Mrs. Mallett went to dress at four o'clock, and her toilette was hardly completed at a quarter to six, when her husband came home " to beautify," as he called the operation of dressing. Mrs. Mallett really looked splendid, " quite a Queen Shillibeer," as Mr. Mallett — whose om- nibus knowledge was in advance of his biblical — said, as he walked round her in admiration. 118 FALKNER LYLE 3 OR, When Mrs. Mallett had descended to the drawing-room she rang for the lodging-house servant, -whom she had promised should see her -when dressed — in case, we suppose, such a blaze of splendour should overpower the domestic when in the performance of her duties at table. " Well, mam V said the girl, clasping her hands, " I never did see anythink beautifuller than you look — never !" " Fm glad you like me, Jane/'' replied Mrs. Mallett, admiring herself in the glass. " I did think of putting on my maroon velvet, but I know I shall be hottish with carving and anxiety, so I chose my blue satin/-' u Lor ! what a deal of money you must have cost, mam," replied the servant. " Yes, Jane, yes. One can't dress like this for nothing," replied Mrs. Mallett ; " but my husband likes it, and so do I. There, go along, or you'll make me vain, looking at me so." THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 119 Jane gave one more pantomimic expression of admiration, and left tlie room. Gorgeous Mrs. Mallet t would have been per- fectly happy at that moment had not her eyes fallen on the clock, and shown her the hour of trial had approached within a few minutes of its commencement. She had never undertaken the responsibility of giving a dinner before ; and a mental review of its difficulties made her very warm — warmer than she had ever been in her maroon velvet. The guests arrived, and with commendable punctuality. The dinner was announced and served by the man who cleaned the boots and shoes and ran of messages for the lodgers. He was by profession a shoemaker ; but confinement, and the odour of wax, did not agree with him, he said, and, waitcring suited him better. He was called Waxy. Mrs. Mallctt had been told by her husband to spare no expense, and she had obeyed his in- 120 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, junction. She had provided a small gastrono- mical museum. The resources of the house had been devoted entirely to the vegetables, roasts, and boils. Remembering vaguely some of the delicacies which had come within her knowledge during her days of servitude, she had contrived to impart an idea of the components of those dishes to a pastrycook, who, with a daring worthy of the cause, undertook to produce them. The fish was a success, being indigenous to the coast, and dressed without pretension. The soups, four in number, were rather gluey or oleaginous, having been purchased by the pound, and warmed up in saucepans. The entrees were rather in excess, Mrs. Mallett having arranged three for each person. As " she could not, for the life of her," she said, " recollect what they were made of, and as neither the maid Jane nor Waxy could pronounce one of the names written on the covers by the pastrycook/'' there was quite a game of edible speculation going on while the THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 121 entrees were in circulation. Mallett only in- creased the difficulty by challenging the gen- tlemen to take wine with him every five minutes, and disturbed the self-possession of Waxy to such an extent, that he nearly broke a blood-vessel in attempting to draw the cork of a champagne-bottle without having first cut the wire. The two guests did their best to assist the progress of the dinner and cover the blunders ; but Mrs. Mallett, " on hospitable thoughts in- tent/' made matters rather embarrassing. "Now, Mr. Roberts, do pray try that — that what-do-they-call-it ? It's made of chicken and something else — won't you? Jane, take it to Mr. Brownlow. Now you must — just a spoonful. Well, then, try that other dish .What do they call it, Jane ? — ask the man. Oh, he don't know ! Well, it's lobster and musherooms — no, not mush- erooms. Well, I won't press it, because this other is so nice. It's truffles and — oh ! there's the bit 122 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, of paper with its name in the gravy. Ah, that's good of you ! I was afraid you were going to eat nothing. Teddy, dear ! how are you getting on?" " Oh, capital, capital, my dear \" replied Mallett, who had allowed nothing to pass him. " A glass of champagne ! Waxy ! wine to the missus." Brownlow looked at Roberts and smiled, and the action being observed by Mallett, he took it for a challenge between the gentlemen, and called out — " Now, Waxy, my lad, look alive ! More champagne to them gentlemen." Both Brownlow and Roberts knew good wine from bad, and, luckily for them, Mallett had been considerate, and had provided " the best he could buy for money." The roast mutton, the roast fowls, the boiled fowls, the turkey-poult — and their accessories — were all unimpeachable. The partridges and leveret would have been better THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 1.^3 had they not had to have travelled from the pastrycook's, who had also sent (per order) samples of every variety of his art, including an enormous ice-pudding ; and then two or three varieties of cheese, salad, and broiled bloaters, brought Mrs. Mallett's little dinner-party for four to a pause — a liberal dessert being the conclusion. In due time Mrs. Mallett retired to the drawing- room, and, seating herself on the sofa, began fanning herself with her pocket-handkerchief. " Oh, Jane, Jane V3 said Mrs. Mallett, as the domestic lighted the candles, " nobody knows what I have gone through and suffered this day. The heat I am in is awful ! and when I think of those nasty dishes that I couldn't remember, and that Waxy tasting them with his finger to find out what they was, I get warmer and warmer, and never Avill give another dinner-party as long as ever I am a living woman \" This outburst was evidently a relief to the poor hostess, as she shortly afterwards re- 124 FALKNEll LYLE ; OR, arranged her hair and took a sip — just a sip — of cold brandy-and-water, at the urgent entreaty of Jane, who was herself suffering from an impru- dent consumption of ice-pudding. The gentlemen did not remain long over their wine, but obeyed the summons to coffee as soon as it was made by Waxy, who looked very lumi- nous and stupid. Owing to Mr. Mallett's per- tinacity, there had been many " heel taps" left in the glasses, and Waxy, being a thrifty man, had allowed nothing to be wasted. An open piano and a piece of music on the rest showed that Mrs. Mallett both sang and played, but she declared she did neither. " She does, gents, I assure you," said Mallett, always proud of his wife ; " only she's so modest. She's been studying hard — had six months of it." " La ! Teddy, you speak as though I had been in the House of Correction," exclaimed Mrs. Mallett. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 125 This sally tickled Mallett immensely, and he laughed so heartily that he spilled the contents of his coffee-cup over his highly embroidered shirt-front. The combined entreaties of the gentlemen at length indnced Mrs. Mallett to sit down at the piano and commence the symphony of " A May- day Morning Early," a song made popular at the time by the sweetest singer of the day. Mrs. Mallett stumbled a little at first, but, having got over the prelude, she sang in a strong, clear voice, to the admiration of one of her hearers, and the acclamation of all. " There now, gentlemen \" said Mrs. Mallett, " I know you arc dying to get at your grog and cigars, and unless you smoke — there are cigars — Fm off to bed." "Now really, Mrs. Mallett, you do us an injustice," said Brownlow. " One more song." " No ; I don't know another, and I really am so stuffy after dinner, that I hate being 126 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, asked to sing. Now, gentlemen, how is it to be? Am I to go to bed, or will you take your weeds ? Teddy always smokes here of an evening." As no one could think of sending Mrs. Mallett to bed at nine o'clock, the gentlemen lighted their cigars, and after a time Mallett suggested cards. " Not that I play," he said, " except a game at cribbage now and then with the old lady. I don't understand any other game." Mr. Roberts proposed ecarte or lansquenet, and Mr. Brownlow accepted to be his antagonist, whilst Mallett produced a highly ornamented cribbage-board, and engaged his gorgeous wife ina " a game at six-card." As "Waxy had eaten and drunk himself into somnolency, Mr. Mallett attended at intervals to his guests, until the time that Mrs. Mallett quietly withdrew, leaving her husband to say good night for her, rather than disturb her guests THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 127 at their play. Mr. Mallett amused himself at " patience/' having spun his share of the web. It was past midnight when a tapping was heard at the door of the drawing-room. "It was Mrs. Mallett/' her husband said, "who, having moulted and gone to bed, had been disturbed by the landlady asking her to get rid of her guests, in order that the house might be closed." The two players could only obey the request. " You have been terribly unfortunate, Mr. Roberts/' said Brownlow. " I have won much more than I like to win of a friend." " Don't name it, I beg. You have certainly held wonderful cards," replied Roberts, "but I never murmur at losses. Arc you walking my way ?" Brownlow was; and on their way home Mr. Roberts spoke of many things, but not one word of his losses, until they were on the point of separating. 128 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, " I will send you a cheque in the morning, Brownlow." " Oh, when we meet again," said Brownlow. "No, thanks; I like to clear up as I go," replied the other. " AVill you take a chop with me to-morrow?" " With pleasure," replied Brownlow ; " and then, perhaps, you may take your revenge." " That will be as you please," said the young fly. " No need to ask Mallett, is there ?" " None in the least," replied the spider ; " he has been honoured enough already. Good night." " Good night," repeated Mr. Roberts, and then, whistling some lively air, he went to his lodgings as though he had performed some meritorious action in losing over a thousand pounds. How such a robbery had been effected we are not sharp enough to tell; but it is certain that some trickery had been used, as on the THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 129 next meeting of Brownlow and Roberts, the latter rose a winner of a hundred pounds. He was not always so successful. As Brownlow knew that Roberts was too proud of his losses not to boast of them to Mallett (who never took part in the play), there was an amicable and just division of plunder between the two con- federates. Enough, however, was thought to have been done for the present, the more espe- cially as Mr. George Roberts was the owner of Mercury, a horse rapidly growing into favour for one of the great autumn meetings. "Mr. Roberts was/' Mallett said, "'very sweet ' on his horse, and no doubt would get ' SAveeter ;' most young 'uns did ;" and then Mr. Mallett projected such a well-considered scheme for reducing Mr. Roberts's balance at his banker's, that Brownlow agreed to M stand in" leaving his accomplished friend to manage the whole affair. " With my position on the turf, and my con- VOL, III. K 130 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, nexions," said Mallett, with an air of pride, " I can ' put the pot on' to any extent, and I didn't get old Bob Stray into Fotheringwood's training stables for nothing V There was no boasting in Mr. Mallett' s self- assertion, and by his own bets and those of his agents he soon had a large sum booked against Mercury. With Mr. Roberts individually he had only invested about a thousand pounds, and that, as he told the sanguine young gentleman, " only because it suited his book." Mr. Roberts was being operated upon by Mr. Mallett' s "con- nexions." Mercury rose rapidly in the betting, and at last became first favourite for the race. Still Mr. Mallett, to the surprise of his agents, did not care to hedge any of his money. Mr. Mallett was about to play a bolder game — played often before, and with varying success. The training stable where Mercury was at work was called " private," although Luke Fotheringwood had THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 131 more than one employer. " Trusty Luke" lie was called, and as lie was far from a rich man, it is fair to suppose that he deserved his title. He had a very wild son, and Mallett once saved the prodigal from some exposure. This act made Fotheringwoocl sufficiently the friend of Mallett that when Bob Stray was in want of employment Mallett' s recommendation obtained him a place with Trusty Luke. This Bob Stray had frequently been of service to Mallett, who was a good paymaster, and it was with the hope of some chance of further useful- ness that Bob had been placed at Fotheringwood's. Bob had the reputation of being unlucky about a stable, but none had ever detected him in any improper conduct ; but he was unlucky in a stable, as more than one or two promising horses had broken down or gone off when at work, although Bob had nothing whatever to do with them. The routine of a training stable is nearly the 132 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, same in all establishments. Each horse has assigned to it a boy, whose sole duty is to attend upon it. To pick the hay, sift the corn, arrange the litter, and regulate to a " go down" (or draught) the water the horse drinks. The lad also rides the horse at exercise, taking and keep- ing an assigned place in the string, which is usually led by some veteran of repute, and with whose running comparisons are made, and the relative speed of the neophyte ascertained. The successful development of the powers of the horse is known to depend upon the regularity and judgment with which it is nurtured and exercised, and any violent divarication from the regular routine is greatly prejudicial to the condition of the animal ; so much so, that two or three extra " go downs" of water have been said to have lost a race which might otherwise have been looked upon as a certainty. There are on record many instances of roguery by which horses have been made safe when entered THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 133 for large stakes, or upon whose running large bets have been depending. In one or two instances the perpetrators of the villany have been re- warded with a rope and the gallows, whilst others have escaped with horscwhippings and duckings in horse-ponds. As long as money is to be made by such nefarious proceedings, so long will rogues be found to earn it. Mr. Mallett was a ring-man — a systematic better upon horse-racing, and for whose behoof, and that of the class he represented, thousands upon thousands of money have been spent by honest gentlemen. Mr. Mallett scarcely knew one horse from another, and cared nothing for the qualities, the form, the beauty of the animal on which he invested his money. He could tell " his performances" by rote as they stood re- corded in the " Racing Calendar/'' and he knew every fluctuation of the odds quoted in the betting. He was a clever book-maker, and generally " stood to win" upon every race of 134 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, any note which was run in England. He had always paid his way — never "howled" when he lost, nor " crowed" when he won. Had always a pound to give to a " down man," and was cheerful, good tempered, and te up to everything." We have seen something of his domestic rela- tions, and know that at present they are unex- ceptionable. But Mr. Mallett never would lose if he could help it. Neither would he " neglect a chance" that came in his way, so long as he could keep on the shady side of the law, and be only amen- able to the opinions of men of his own calling. He kept his word, but boasted " that he'd win of his own father." He was a safe man to do busi- ness with, but you must have " cut your eye- teeth" to be upon an equality with Teddy Mallett. We are sorry to have to do with such a man, but life is made up of contrasts — Mr. Mallett is rather " shady." AYc cannot say how Mercury, Mr. Roberts's THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 135 favourite, was to be " got at" on the day of his great race ; but Bob Stray was to do it, and he had never failed upon great occasions. One afternoon Mr. Brownlow drove out alone, taking Alec behind in the rumble. Ethel was accustomed to be a stay-at-home now. About a mile on, Mr. Brownlow turned into a by-road, and had scarcely entered it when Mr. Mallett presented himself. The meeting had been arranged evidently, and Mr. Mallett got into the phaeton. Alec was not much surprised, but he was a little, and as he had reason — so he thought — to be dissatisfied with his governor and his friend, he was not disposed to put the best construction on the meeting. The two confederates talked with subdued voices, and Alec could hear only a word now and then. The road at length became quieter. " Bob Stray is as ' right as a trivet/ " said Mallett ; " and old Fotheringwood " . 136 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, Brownlow shook his head and nodded, as though calling attention to Alec. Mallett turned sharply round, but Alec had grown tired of listening, and was fast asleep — at least he seemed to be so. " He's asleep/' said Mallett. " What I was saying was this — that if you can get the odds to another hundred or so, do it. Bob is safe ; no one could suspect him : he's temperance itself at the stables and about there ; might lecture on pumps if there was anything to be got by it." " Well. I'm afraid I can do nothing, and I'm sure it is better that I should not attempt it, placed as I am. And if you will be advised by me, I would not mention the names you have just now." ' ' I won't ; I'm mum, depend upon it," replied Mallett. " I've told you how matters stand, and so I'll get down here. I can get a ( bus' to ' The Cellar,' so good-bye, sir." Alec appeared to wake up with a start when THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 137 the horse stopped — and when Mr. Mallett was left in the road, the well-behaved groom touched his hat as though he had never called his master's friend « Teddy." Alec was very thoughtful that night. He could not sleep for thinking of his wrongs — wrongs done him by the governor and Teddy Mallett. Wasn't it he that had brought 'em to- gether ? Of course it was. Hadn't he put Teddy up to the weak points of the governor's character ? Of course he had. And hadn't they picked up Mr. Roberts and worked him together, and pigeoned him out of he didn't know what ? Of course they had. And what had he got by it — he to whom they owed so much ? Why, only a beggarly ten- pun' note from 133 PALKNER LYLE; OR, Mr. Mallett, whilst his screw of a master never so much as look eel " Fm obliged to you." Were not those wrongs ? No doubt of it, and he should be a fool if he didn't take care of himself now he'd a chance of doing so. There was no time to lose, as the great autumn meeting would be held in a week, so the next day he asked for an afternoon's holiday, in order to attend to his own private business. He knew that Mr. George Roberts was in town, and doubted not but he should find him at the Corner, and perhaps be able to follow him home and obtain an interview. He trusted to his livery, and the time which had elapsed since he made his mistake, to escape recognition by his old acquaintance whilst he was loitering about, and so far he was successful. When Mr. Roberts left the yard, Alec fol- lowed him, and found that he was staying at an hotel in Bond Street. "When Mr. Roberts had THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 139 entered, Alec waited a few minutes, and then walked in and requested to sec him. " What name ?" said the porter. " Oh, he won't know my name/' replied Alec, " but he knows me when he sees me. You can say, if you like, that Fm Mr. Brownlow's groom/'' seeing that the porter hesitated. The message was delivered, and Alec was shown up to Mr. Roberts's room. " Well, my man, what do yon want ? You have not come with any message from your master, I suppose ? " said Mr. Roberts, rather sharply. " No, sir — I have not, sir/' replied Alec, a little confused at his reception. " I thought not — I thought even his cool- ness wouldn't have allowed of that/' said Mr. Roberts. Alec saw at once that Mr. Brownlow's repu- tation had become known to his victim, and so he replied — 140 PALKNER LYLE ; OR, " No, sir, I have not come from him — and if he knew I was here I shouldn't long have his service, sir, I can tell yon." " Well, why are you here ? Fm pressed for time, so go on." " I know when I'm speaking to you Fm speaking to a gentleman," said Alec, " and if I come to harm you won't let me be a loser, sir." " If you have come to tell me that your master is a swindler and a cheat, that I know already. I know I was fleeced at Scarborough by him. Mallett has told me that," said Roberts. " Has he, sir ?" replied Alec, " then he's a bigger rogue than I took him for. He was in the plant !" " I don't believe it !" said Mr. Roberts, " for when I heard of Brownlow's character, and told him of it, he was as much surprised as I was. Well, what do you want ?" Alec fenced about for some time before he could get Mr. Roberts to make him a promise THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 141 that lie should be a gainer by the important in- formation he had to give, and it was not until he said it had reference to Mercury, that he received an assurance he should be paid according to his deserving. Alec then informed Mr. Roberts of the confederacy which he knew to exist be- tween his master and Mallett, repeating the conversation between them, and which he had overheard the day before, when he was not asleep, as Mallett supposed him to be. " And what do you infer — I mean guess — they meant by that conversation V asked Mr. Roberts, perfectly surprised at what he had heard. " Mean, sir ?" replied Alec, in a low voice, as though he feared " the walls had ears," " they mean that Mercury's to be ' got at/ sir — f nob- bled/ in fact." " What ! injured? — prevented winning ?" asked Mr. Roberts, turning very pale. " Yes, sir, that's what I mean, and what they 142 PALKNER LYLE ; OR, " Prove it, and I'll give you a hundred pounds Vs cried Roberts. " I can't prove it, sir — no man but Bob Stray could, and his life wouldn't be worth twopence if he did — nor will mine ayther, sir, if you split upon me !" said Alec, rather alarmed at what he had done. " You are safe, my man, and if you have told me the truth, you shall not regret it — at present, I shall give you nothing." " I don't ask it, sir — I wouldn't take it," said Alec. " If the horse loses, you'll know I speak true ; if he wins, you'll know I speak true, for I fancy Mallett's ' put the pot on ' so much, that it will break his back if he loses." " Well, keep your own counsel. Fothering- wood's honest, you think ?" asked Mr. Roberts. "You see, you needn't doubt him," said Alec ; " I'd go bail for him with my life." Mr. Roberts appeared to be satisfied with this security, and having dismissed Alec (not quite THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 143 empty -handed, by-the-by), ordered his servant to pack up a few clothes. Mr. Roberts then started for Luke Eotheringwood's stables in the north. The old trainer received Mr. Roberts's in- telligence with more equanimity than the owner of Mercury had done. He had had such tricks tried on him before, and was prepared for the emergency. "You keep what you've heard to yourself, sir/' said Trusty Luke. " The hoss shall win if he can ; and I believe it's in him. I know his jockey ma' be trusted wi' a man's loife. I won't leave the hoss a minute after the next three days — they woant try to get at him afore then ; keep yoursen to yourscn, and the boitcr shall be bit, Master Robarts." u I should like to ruin the rogues !" cried Roberts. " Vary wccl — so should I," said Trusty Luke. " You mak' that Mallctt cover his 144 TALK NEB, LYLE J OB, bets the day afore the race. You've booked him for over a thousand, you say — mak' him cover/' Mr. Rogers returned by the next train, and followed the old trainer's advice, much to the as- tonishment of Mr. Mallett, who was compelled to have recourse to Mr. Brownlow for money, with- out, however, communicating to him the terrible suspicion he had, that some one " had blown the gaff," and that Mercury was not so safe as it was intended to have made him. Two days before the race Bob Stray was warned off Mr. Fotheringwood's premises, and the old trainer was stable-companion of Mercury until he was mounted for the race. The contest was severe, but Mercury won ! Mr. Mallett had taken alarm, and set all his auxiliaries to work to hedge as much as possible. But it was too late to do a great deal as the horse continued to rise in the betting ; and Mr. Mallett and party were considerable losers. " Who could have got at our secret ?" asked THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 145 Mallctt of Brownlow when tliey met again in the bye-road on the Sunday after the race. " I can only think of one man — that is, if you had made no confidants," said Brownlow. " 'Who's that ?" " The man you thought to be asleep when we drove down the lane together," replied Brownlow. " He has been very saucy for the last few days, and I have dismissed him." " Like enough if he understood what I was fool enough to say," said Mallett, thought- fully. " He ought to have had his regulars at Scarborough." " His regulars ?" asked Brownlow. " Ah ! — yes ! He knew all about Eoberts's little affair, depend upon it, and you ought to have tipped him, as I did," replied Mallett. u What ! my own servant ?" asked Brownlow. " Yes, Mr. Brownlow. Men as play our game, and require sharp tools, mustn't be above handling them tenderly," answered Mallett. VOL. III. L 146 TALKNER LYLE ; Oil, As Mr. Brownlow's momentary indignation had proceeded from a habit of thought, and not from any proper sensitiveness — he was too mean for that — he remained silent. " Well, it's no use fretting over spilt milk/' said Mallett ; " so now let's think how the settling is to be met. There's a lot of liabilities," said Mallett, producing a formidable string of bets against Mercury; but Mr. Mallett, perhaps, had miscalculated, as the list did not include the late bets made in his favour. t£ A heavy total," said Brownlow ; " are you prepared to meet them ?" "Am I prepared? Are we prepared, you mean," said Mallett, stopping short. " Oh yes — I see you have our joint bet with Roberts on the list; but that money has been paid, I consider, when we covered the bet." " But you were to stand in with the other bets," said Mallett, loudly. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 147 " Oh dear no," replied Brownlow, coolly ; " I only bet with. Roberts — I know no one else."" "Why you don't mean to say you're such a scamp " w Hallo ! hallo ! sir," interrupted Brownlow, " don't apply such terms to me ! What I have won — what I have lost in connexion with you has been honourably arranged, Mr. Mallett ; and if you acted in ignorance on this matter I am not to blame." Brownlow's cool repudiation was more than Mr. Mallett could encounter. Had there been passion, or a row, Mr. Mallett might have held his own. " You seem to be hit heavily/' continued Brownlow, scanning the list ; " and if 500/. on your note of hand will help you, I will lend you the money. I never ventured so much before on a race in my life, and should not have done so now but in a manner to oblige you." l 2 14S FALKNER LYLE ; OR, Mr. Mallett was in (< difficulties/'' with a prospect of " pulling up lame" (to use his own slang) ; and he had no proof but his own word that Brownlow was a joint loser with himself. Besides, the transaction would not bear ventilating : enough had been suspected already, and it would not do for Mr. Mallett' s " connexions" to know that he had been concerned in an attempt to " nobble" the favourite. Mr. Mallett, therefore, accepted Mr. Brownlow's condition; but, in the solitude of his chamber, when he had ' ' made up his book," he swore a deep oath that the time should come when he would " square accounts with Mr. Brown- low ! Yes ." And Mr. Mallett never forgot an injury. As Mr. Roberts and Trusty Luke did not con- ceal their knowledge of the Mercury affair, even the lax morality of the Ring was scandalized, and Mr. Mallett's connexions and commissions began to fall off. The gorgeous lady found that THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 149 Teddy was a changed man, who grumbled at the household expenses, and actually swore at her milliner's bills.* * We must apologise to our lady readers for the introduc- tion of slang into our pages. We have the highest au- thority for such a course. When one of the great masters of the art of novel- writing was composing the most popular of his early novels, he invited Mr. Pierce Egan (the author of " Tom and Jerry, or Life in London ") to his house, and requested to be instructed in slang and thieves' argot. Mr. Egan was delighted with his reception and with his host, and thus expressed himself: — "L — B — is a very clever man, I've no doubt ; a good classic, I've no doubt ; but he is horribly ignorant of slang /" We are afraid that we have only shown our ignorance to the initiated. 150 FALKNER LTLE ; OR, CHAPTER VI. BEOWNLOW MAKES A BAD INVESTMENT — MK. MALLETT HAVING LOST HIS MONEY, PROPOSES TO OPEN A BANK. TDROWNLOW'S fortune was not large, but lie had hitherto been contented with the comparatively small interest of the funds and a mortgage. More than three-fourths of his money had been invested in the latter security, and he now received notice that the mortgage would be redeemed. When the money was repaid to him, he placed it in his banker's hands, intending to find some more remunerative security than consols, even if there was a slight degree of risk attached to it. But this laudable intention of increasing his income was not to be. Within a week of the time when he had de- posited his money with his bankers, they very THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 151 unexpectedly stopped payment, and subsequently declared a dividend of some tlirce or four shillings in tlic pound. Mr. Brownlow declared himself ruined, and two hundred a year was ruin to a man who had been spending eight. It was now when Ethel was called upon to discharge the noblest duties of a wife, and become the sustaining influence to her husband, that the true value of her character displayed itself. Believing in the honour of her husband, and re- membering his past tenderness towards her, her whole soul seemed devoted to rescue him from the despondency into which he had fallen, con- sequent upon his loss, and to devise means whereby their altered circumstances might be made, not only endurable, but even productive of an increase of domestic happiness. To retrench is among the most difficult duties of a man or woman's experience, but Ethel recognised at once the necessity, and with a cheerfulness which Brownlow could neither un- 152 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, derstand nor appreciate, she submitted to him her practical plans for the change. "Whilst he saw only the loss of comforts and indulgences which he had been accustomed to consider as indispensable to existence, Ethel pro- fessed to discover new enjoyments in the more active discharge of the duties of her home, and intimated, with all gentleness, that he, too, might by some congenial employment make his life, which had sometimes a touch of weariness from mere inaction, pass more pleasantly than it had done when he was an idle man. He did not care to dispute these conclusions, although he could not accede to them, but set his busy brain to work to find some opening for the exercise of his acquired skill in tricks of knavery, by which he had been so often a gainer. He thought of Mallett as a coadjutor, and regretted that he had not recognised his respon- sibility in the former transaction, although his repudiation of loss had not apparently estranged THE STORY 0¥ TWO WIVES. 153 the worthy gentlemen. The 500/. was still un- paid, and judicious management might make that sum the nucleus of greater gains, if properly managed. A small house and garden in a retired country town, not far from London, were taken, and by Ethel's taste and industry, soon made to have a look of comfort. Martha had clung to her young- mistress, and, as John's trade was on demand in most places, he had not hesitated a moment to follow the broken fortunes of the one he had served so long. Ethel's small annuity, added to the wreck of Brownlow's fortune, made a limited competency ; but there were other causes of discontent at work than reduced means, which rendered un- availing her efforts to console her husband, and to make their home a happy one. An evil conscience and an infidel faith are no comforters under afflictions, and lkownlow was possessed by both, although his wife bad no sus- 1 54 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, picion of their existence. Not until one day when Mr. Mallett, unexpectedly to her, presented himself at their new home. Mr. Brownlow, it appeared, had written to his old confederate requesting an interview, and Mr. Mallett obeyed the summons. The two, after brief and somewhat constrained salutations, walked out into the garden, and Ethel resumed some work she had been engaged upon, seated at an open window. At first the conversation of her husband and his visitor was in so low a tone that it did not reach Ethel's ear. After a time, Mr. Mallett spoke louder, and in what seemed to Ethel an angry voice. Instinctively she ceased her work and listened. " Once bit twice shy, Brownlow," said Mallett. " I've worked upon the square with you, as I have with every man that rowed in the same boat with me." Brownlow's answer was inaudible. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 155 " I don't care who hears mc;" said Mallctt, " I won't pay that 500/. bill till I'm forced by law ; then I'll blow the whole affair, if it ruins me/; Again Brownlow's words were inaudible, al- though he spoke for some time. " No, I won't agree to it/' said Mallctt ; " my losses were more than twice that sum, and, if I hadn't a paid, I should have been warned off every course in England. I've suffered enough in other ways besides being done out of my money. How so ? Why, I've got the name of the ' nobbier • — though nobody calls it me to my face ; he must be a good man that does — my con- nexion's fallen off, and I can't get the money on that I used to. No, burn that bill, Brownlow, and then I'll talk to you, if you mean the thing that's right." Brownlow's reply could not be heard. " Very well, then we'll wipe out old chalks and start afresh. I've one or two ' lays ' which I'm sure would answer if your peculiar talent was 156 PALKNEB LYLE; OB, brought into play ;" and then Mallett's voice be- came inaudible also. Although Mr. Mallett's observations were perfectly unintelligible to Ethel at this time, she was surprised at the familiarity of his address and the insolence of the tone in which he ad- dressed her husband. Ethel attributed the want of the old respect in Mallet t to the vulgarity of his mind, which made him presume on their loss of fortune and his own possession of wealth. By and bye, what she had heard was to be better understood. Mr. Mallett remained to dinner, and though the simple fare was in strong con- trast to the profusion with which Brownlow had been entertained, the gentlemen remained late at table, and would not be disturbed by more than one summons to tea. When they did present themselves, Mr. Mallett had evi- dently given free course to the natural convi- viality of his nature, and Brownlow was flushed and excited, to Ethel's surprise and sorrow ; for, like most mean, sneak- THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 157 ing fellows,, he never approached over-indulgence in drinking. Such men require cool heads at all times ; their ungenial natures arc never moved to hearty good-fellowship, which never justifies excess, although it may be brought at times to excuse it. Mr. Mallett tried to appear sober — to "assume a virtue if he had it not" — and sat very upright in his chair, stirring his tea with great assiduity and an unsteady hand. He ventured an observation, but his voice was thick and his words more than properly connected. It was to the effect that M his good lady would be delighted to see Mrs. Brownlow, although, like herself, she didn't come it quite so strong as they did at Scarborough, when she gave that slap-up dinner to his friend Harry \" " Harry \" from Mr. Mallett ! " Dinner to his friend Harry/' and of which she had never heard, — which must have taken place when she was lying ill at South Bay, without the consolation of a letter even. Mr. Mallett was a long time over his tea, 15S TALKNER LYLE J OR, drinking it from his spoon, as though he feared to part with his cnp. He was conversational, however, and informed Brownlow that his old servant Alec had got into feather somehow, and was keeping a sporting-house in Badger-street, drinking all the profits, and promising " to come to grief" in a short time, if he didn't die in the training ! Alec wasn't asleep that clay when Harry and he drove down that quiet road from Barnes Common. Ethel was more and more confounded by what she heard, and her look of surprise attracted her husband's notice. ' ' I don't wish to disturb you/ Mallett," said Brownlow, " but, if you intend to catch the mail train, we must go to the station." u I must get back to-night, by ," replied Mallett, rising and making an unsteady approach to the table. " The best of friends must part, Mrs. Brownlow ; and so I've the honour to wish you a very good night, ma'am." THE STORY OF TWO AVIVES. 159 During the time that Brownlow was gone with Mallctt to the station, Ethel sat bewildered by what she had seen and heard. But as yet she had known little of the cheats and remorse- less robberies which men practise on each other ; and, had she known of their existence, how could she have associated with them the man who was her husband ? Loud splashes of rain beating against the windows, vivid flashes of lightning burning in the sky, and angry thunder, rolling like mighty drums, did not move her from her reverie, and Brownlow had entered the room before she was aware of his presence. He saw instantly that her thoughts perplexed and absorbed her, and he guessed at once the reason for her painful abstraction. Coward as he was, he avoided ex- planation. " What a night it has turned out \u lie said ; and Ethel started at the sound of his voice. ICO FALKNER LYLE ; OR, " Rain, thunder, and lightning ! I never re- member such a storm ! I am wet through." " Wet ! so you are, Henry. I did not know it was raining when you left home," said Ethel. " Nor was it, my dear ; it came on just as I left the station. I should have stopped for shelter, hut I was fearful that you would have been alarmed." " I think I should have been had I noticed the thunder and the lightning," replied Ethel, looking out at the storm. " Had you fallen asleep so soon ? I saw that you were looking tired," said Brownlow. 11 No ; I have not been asleep," replied Ethel. " I — I have been wondering at the change in Mr. Mallett's manner towards you — so very fa- miliar !" " Poverty makes us acquainted with strange bedfellows, Ethel, you know;' but I am chilled through and through. To-morrow I will tell you why Mallett has been here," said Brownlow, hesi- THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 1G1 tatingly. " I shall be restless I fancy, and will go to little Ethel's room/'' " No, no ; I will sleep there \" replied Mrs. Brownlow. She knew not why she elected to do this, but a strange undcfinable feeling made her regard the room of the absent child as un- fitted for her husband. " Very well, dear, as you please ; I will go to bed now. I hope I have not taken cold/' said Brownlow, shrugging his shoulders. Ethel paused, remembering the flushed face and excited manner she had noticed earlier in the evening, and then asked, " Will you have anything, Henry V " "Well, I am afraid I have already exceeded a little," answered Brownlow, " and that yen were angry ; but — medicinally, mind — you shall bring me some warm wine and water." He then kissed Ethel's check, and went to his bedroom ; and, having received his draught, bade her good night. VOL. III. M 162 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, Little EtheFs room was always kept in readi- ness for her, although she was away at a board- ing-school. The toilet-table was decked with a flower or two, showing that she had been held in remembrance on that day, as she was every day. Her little Bible was lying open; and it was not hard to guess who had been in that room, making it her oratory. Over the fire- place were arranged the miniatures of Dr. Meriton, Ethel's mother, Aunt Agatha, and the old usher, as though the child had been made custodian of all the household gods saved from the wracks. The neat white bed seemed — pardon so simple a simile — like the couch of Innocence. It was, perhaps, this fancy that made Ethel object to Brownlow occupying the child's bed. Ethel remained longer at her prayers than usual ; and when she rose up her face was wetted by her tears. Wearied, very wearied, and yet she could not sleep ; she was oppressed by some vague feeling THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 1G3 of evil — some miserable shame from which she could not escape. She strove to drive away these thoughts, but they would not be driven, until, remembering what had passed during the day, she connected the evil and the shame with her husband. Terrified by her fancies, she started up in her bed, and looked with distended eyes into the blackness of the dark, as though she expected to see there her future made visible. Again she closed her eyes, and tried to sleep ; but the coarse, half-drunken man, who had been the guest of her husband, came as in a dream, and she could not sleep. All that was objectionable in the character of Brownlow was remembered, and when examined by the fears which now possessed her, her mistrust of him grew stronger, and, for the first time in her life, she suspected him of being unworthy her regard. She knew — she thought — that the punishment of the sin she had committed in marrying a man she had m 2 164 FALKNER LYLE ; OK, not loved, was at hand. In vain she strove to quiet her alarmed conscience, by recalling the motives which had influenced her to become a wife; but even the commands of her father failed as a justification for the solemn imposture she had perpetrated. True, such unions were made every day, and were praised for their worldly prudence; but trafficking with truth could not be expected to bring the blessing of heaven. Triiat if her husband should be — she dared not think what kind of man he might be — but if he were to be a fit companion for such a man as Mallett, what a life was before her ! If she had ever loved him, she should have had courage, strength, endurance, to have striven to rescue him from such degradation ; but with any doubt of his honour, she felt that she should fall away from him — loathe him, perhaps. And what had been her vows ? He would still be her husband, and the master of her life, and she must obey THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 105 where she could no longer honour or respect. Was this to be her fate ? If so, better, but for little Ethel's sake, to die at once. She was disturbed from these distressing thoughts by the violent ringing of a bell, and Brownlow calling Ethel. She thought for a moment that the voice was an illusion, reproaching her for her unwifely conclusions ; but on the repetition of her name, she rose instantly, and, having lighted a candle, went to her husband. "What is the matter, Henry?" she asked; " are you ill ?•" " Yes, very ill, Fm certain. Send for the doctor — don't stay there, but send the servant at once. I know I am going to be very ill." Martha had been aroused, and was already partly dressed, and not waiting to complete her toilette, hastened off for the doctor. " I've taken cold — violent cold," said Brown- low ; " I am burning hot, then cold as ice — 166 FALKNER LYLE; OR, fever setting in, no doubt. Not much clanger in such fever, I believe, if taken in time — is there ?" "I think not/' replied Ethel; "but I hope you are unduly alarmed." "Time to be alarmed, when you burn and freeze every alternate five minutes/'' said Brown- low, sharply. "I don't think there's any danger — do you?" " I hope not." " Then you do think there's danger. Why don't that doctor come? If I am to have fever, I don't believe I shall die. My constitution's good, and — I wish I had had less wine to-day. I don't think there is anything to fear, as I've taken it in time." Brownlow feared death, scoffer that he was. Ethel had never suspected her husband's in- fidelity, as he always attended church — " it was respectable to do so," he said. There was fever, and would be more, the THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 167 doctor asserted, and for some days Brownlow had to battle for his life. Ethel was his nurse, and Martha pleaded in vain to release her from her attendance on the sick man. It was a painful duty for a wife to sit by his bedside and listen to his delirious utterances. He talked of clever tricks by which money could be gained — of cheating by cards and dice — of bribing dishonest servants to betray their employers — yes, there was no other meaning to what he said, although he used other words like those she had heard from Mallett in the garden. There was to be more chicanery some day, when a victim could be found, and then there was to bo fair play between the friends. Honour among thieves. They would be rich — in feather again — and resent some of the contumely which had been shown them now they were down in the world. Money ! money ! — only money, and the means of gaining it, were in the sick man's 168 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, inind, and it was well that his wife was the only watcher by his bed. Ethel sat listening to these mutterings with folded arms — her face ghastly pale, as though what she heard took the form of a hideous phantom, and appalled her. The words of Mallett, which had had no meaning for her when they were spoken, now became intelligible, and their dreadful significance almost overpowered her. Yet what she had heard might be only the effect of the delirium. She had read, she fancied, that when the brain was disturbed the sufferers often spoke of subjects which no one could determine how they had come into their thoughts. It might be so with Brownlow. His recent interview with Mallett might be the pre- disposing cause for such astounding utterances. It was her duty to believe the best, and she strove to compel herself to dismiss the more conclusive conviction from her mind. She did THE STORY OE TWO WIVES. 169 not succeed, and her life was changed from an unruffled course to one where doubts, like rocks and eddies, disturbed the stream. It was then that Ethel felt she was alone indeed ! No councillor, no friends to whom she could carry her great sorrow and receive either advice or comfort ! Mr. Bumpstead was still constant in his attachment, and regular in his visits. But he, she was sure, was already prejudiced against her husband for some unknown reason, and therefore he could not be a just judge, nor a wise councillor. No ! there was no friend, no councillor ! and the miserable wife must continue to mistrust the more miserable husband. Some days elapsed before Brownlow could be said to be out of danger, and he was then help- less, weak, and still needed the constant presence of a nurse. Ethel had been compelled to admit Martha to a share of the duty, but as she dreaded 170 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, the possibility of a return of the delirium and its revelations, she was seldom away from him. The invalid had not, as yet, been able to leave his bed, when a letter arrived directed in a bold, clumsy hand, and marked " Private, imediate." Brownlow seemed to recognise the superscription, as he did not read the letter at once, but held it clutched in his feeble hand. At last he opened the envelope, and having possessed himself of the contents, laid his extended arm upon the bed, his hand holding the letter. This act, which was only the result of weakness, Ethel understood as a request that she should take the letter. Without much curiosity she commenced to read as follows : — " Dear Brownlow, " The partys I spoke on to you are quite willing to stand in, and will find the money for the bank ; and we purpose to open in a month or five weeks from this. So go to work at once M THE STORY OJ? TWO WIVES. 171 Brownlow at this moment became conscious that Ethel was reading a letter never intended for her perusal. With a great effort he snatched the letter from her hand and thrust it beneath the bed-clothes. " Have I done wrong ?' asked Ethel, in a low voice. " I thought you had given me the letter to read/'' " No ; I didn't want — I mean, you could not understand what is written/' answered Brownlow. "Is it anything I should not be willing to know ?" asked Ethel, looking steadfastly at her husband ; but he seemed to be conscious of the scrutiny, and drew the sheet over his face, and muttered, " I am too weak to talk ; ask no ques- tions now — I am too weak to answer." The letter — so much as she had read — was a mystery to Ethel. A bankrupt in fortune as her husband was, and yet to open a bank ! Yes ; that was a mystery. 172 FALKNER Ll'LE ; OR, When Brownlow was convalescent, Ethel, tortured by her mistrust — her misconstruction, perhaps — of what she comprehended so imper- fectly, resolved to take a straightforward course, and address herself to her husband. She was urged to this more especially, as since Brownlow could dispense with the doctor he had for two or three hours a day shut himself up in a room, which he desired might for the future be undis- turbed, and which he was pleased to call, in a pleasant way, " his workshop." " Henry," Ethel said one evening, a letter in the rude handwriting having arrived in the morn- ing— " Henry, there has grown up between us secrets upon your part and painful misgivings on mine, that must not — should not be between wife and husband." " What secrets, my dear V3 replied Brownlow, averting his face. " Do you fancy my work- shop is a Bluebeard's chamber full of murdered wives ?" THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 173 " I cannot jest now — glad as I shall be to have all cause for anxiety removed," said Ethel. " What I would know is, whence this singular intimacy with that coarse, rude man, Mallett ?" " Oh, that is good," interrupted Brownlow, laughing ; " I knew nothing of the man until you introduced him to me. I always consider him a friend of yours." " You must not resort to subterfuge," said Ethel, calmly, " if we are to respect each other. You know under what circumstances I came to know the Malletts, and though I could only be very grateful for their kindness to my aunt and to myself, I did not press the acquaintance of Mr. Mallett when we were at Scarborough. You, it seems, did, even at a time when I " Ethel paused. " Was away, and I was left to transact some — disagreeable business, with no one to speak to," replied Brownlow, in a tone of reproach. 174 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, " I thought you had formed an intimacy with Mr. Roberts V9 asked Ethel. "Sol had ; but — but he went away in a day or two/' replied Brownlow. " Did you quarrel ?" asked Ethel. " I saw him more than once about London, and yet he never called to renew his acquaintance with you." " I never asked him," answered Brownlow. (( A purse-proud snob, I expect, who measures his friends by the depth of their pockets/' " 1 am not satisfied with what you have said respecting Mailett, Henry. Do you care to explain further V Brownlow was silent. " I press for an answer, because little Ethel will return from school in a few days, and if that man is to visit here, I shall make some arrange- ment for the child's absence/'' " And for your own ?" asked Brownlow rather savagely. "No; where you are, there is my place, THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 175 Henry. It is for you to make that place worthy of me. Was the letter I so uninten- tionally — so unfortunately read, from Mr. Mallett? I have a right to ask." " You have no right," exclaimed Brown- low. " Pardon me," replied Ethel ; " the writer of that letter spoke of your entering upon a busi- ness which requires large means and good reputation — a bank. You have not the one, and I question much if Mr. Mallett has the other." Brownlow smiled — rather contemptuously, Ethel thought — before he answered, " My dear, you are disturbing yourself about matters which you could not understand, even if you were informed of them. I am delighted with your housekeeping, your economy, and with old Martha. If you will extend the same con- sideration to myself, and allow me to employ my time, and select my — well, I won't say 176 FALKNEE, LTLE ; OR, friends, but my workpeople, as I please, we shall continue to live as undisturbed a life as we have hitherto done, and Darby and Joan could not have excelled us in our placidity — we might have claimed the Dunmow flitch, had that con- jugal benevolence been still awarded to matri- monial excellence." "This banter does not satisfy me, although I understand that I must be content with it for the present/' replied Ethel. "I will speak plainly, Henry — I am sure that nothing worthy of you or of me can be done in connexion with Mr. Mallett. I heard much that was said in the garden." " What ! an eavesdropper, Ethel ?" asked Brownlow, with affected surprise. " Yes ; you may have that advantage, as it was for no unworthy purpose that I listened to the man's strange words and insolent tone. I heard nothing that you said. Had I done so, I might — I think I should — have withdrawn THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 177 out of hearing. What reached me, I have since come to understand in part." " Then be content with that," said Brownlow, abruptly. " I do not like being questioned, even by you. Do not let this conversation be resumed, as it will be disagreeable to me, and 1 would not have any unkindncss spring up between us." " You shall be obeyed," said Ethel ; " and, the better to obey you, I shall keep to little Ethel's room." " And I to my workshop," said Brownlow. Ethel had made some approach to the solution of her doubts. A few days more, and her know- ledge was to be extended. VOL. III. N 178 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, CHAPTER VII. MR. BEOWNLOW PEACTISES THE FINE AET OF HIS PEO- FESSION — ETHEL EECETVES THE LAST PEOOF OF HIS LOVE FOE HEE. 4 ETER the painful interview we have just described, the conduct of Brownlow to his wife was, if possible, more tender and considerate than it had ever been ; and it appeared — such is the perversity of human nature at times ! — that he valued her virtues more highly as he himself became more reckless and depraved, although he had no faith in, what he believed to be, her in- centive to good. Ethel was very unhappy, as she could not be insensible to the regard for herself which Brown- low's conduct evinced, whilst her conviction that she was right in condemning the mysterious course he was pursuing in connexion with Mallett THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 17(J compelled her to mark, by her silence and reserve, her determination not to participate in any sinful or dishonourable proceeding. Brownlow was much engaged in his workshop, and therefore he and Ethel rarely met but at table ; at which times little Ethel was present, and lessened the constraint which might other- wise have been distressing. About a month after the receipt of the letter which Ethel had read in part, Mr. Mallett became a frequent visitor, calling three times a week. As Ethel refused, positively, to meet him, Mr. Brownlow, now that he ha^. recovered strength, arranged to go to town to transact such business as they had together. " You have not been curious to know what employs me, Ethel/' said Brownlow one morn- ing, " and now I will tell you. Mallett knows a world of people, and, amongst others, a dealer in toys and fancy work. I have been trying to turn some ingenuity I possess to account, and n 2 180 FALKNEB, LYLE ; OR, Mallctt is to be my agent. Here is my first attempt/-5 and from an oblong box he produced, constructed of pasteboard, a miniature stage - coach. " There \" he continued, " a mere toy ; but I am told there are purchasers for such things, and I — I am making the trial." Ethel gave a glance merely at the toy, and then she looked earnestly at Brownlow. But he continued to admire his handicraft, not daring to meet the gaze of his wife. No ; he was lying, and he knew he had been detected by EtheFs silence. Had he seen her face crimson with shame and indignation, he could not have been more convinced that his childish subterfuge had been of no avail. It was strange that he should have endeavoured to deceive her into a good opinion of him whilst steadily pursuing the downward course which he knew she would never follow ! One day, when Brownlow was absent, Ethel was annoyed and surprised by the arrival of Mr. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 181 Mallett. She endeavoured to excuse herself from seeing him ; but, as lie was on important business, he said, and would wait, she went to him. " Good morning, ma'ani," said Mallett, not in the least abashed by the knowledge that Ethel had declined to receive him as her guest ; " Brownlow not at home, your old woman tells me." " Mr. Brownlow has gone to London," re- plied Ethel, coldly. '* Do you know his business ?" asked Mallett, staring Ethel full in the face. t: I understood it was to meet you." « That's odd," said Mallett, rubbing his nose with the back of his hand ; " he knowed I was at York. Fve only come up to see him on business. Back at night, I suppose ?" " I expect so." " Yes, he's a good boy, I know," said Mallett, with an impudent grin ; but, as his pleasantry only made Ethel look more serious, he added, 182 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, lc Well, I must see him before I go back, to- night, to York; Fll wait. What's his train clown, ma'am ?" u He usually returns by eight o'clock/'' " Eight o'clock/' said Mallett, looking at his watch, " and the last train up from here's 10.30 ; gets me to London, say at 11.45 — too late for anything to-night. Well, I must chance it. Just tell Brownlow, please, that I shall be at the White Hart, if he comes down before eight." Then making a jerky bow, and placing his hat on one side of his head, Mr. Mallett withdrew. Ethel sat down when he had left the room, and gave free vent to her tears. She knew there could be no association with such a man as Mallett that was not disgraceful and dangerous, and she resolved to make another — a stronger effort to rescue — yes — her husband from the misery and ruin which she believed awaited him. She knew not the difficult task she proposed for herself. It was past eight o'clock when Mr. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 183 Brownlow returned home, bringing with him Mr. Mallett, who, by Ins lond talking, gave strong assurance that he had not been very abste- mious at the White Hart. Ethel heard them coming, and would instantly have gone to her own bed-chamber had she not feared to disturb little Ethel, who had been unwell, and had just fallen asleep. The two men, however, proceeded at once to the workshop, where they remained for some time, to EtheFs great relief. But she was not to be free from intrusion, as at the end of about an hour Brownlow entered her room, and said — " Ethel, my dear, I must ask you to do some violence to yourself, and permit mc to bring Mallett here for half-an-hour. The man seems so hurt at your avoidance of him, that I wish you would see him — especially as I do not wish to offend him just now." " As you please, Henry," Ethel replied j 1 84 FALKNER LTLE ; OR, " but, if he is violent or rude in his language, I shall leave the room/'' Ethel had reflected that another interview with Mallett might again give her an excuse for speaking to Brownlow, and she had determined to receive the man should she be requested to do so. " Good evening, again, ma;am/; said Mallett, as Brownlow introduced him ; " our friend, Henry here, won't let me go back to my quarters without a glass ; I hope it's agreeable to you, ^la;aIn.;, Ethel merely bowed as she rang the bell, and then brought the liquor-cruets to the table ; but, feeling it was compulsory to say something, she asked after Mrs. Mallett. " Ah ! — yes — she's well/' replied Mallett, with some confusion of manner ; ' ' at least, I've not seen her for a few days." " Mr. Mallett has been at York," said Brown- low. "Now make your grog." Mr. Mallett gave a loud " Humph V* as though THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 1S5 something in his throat would not let him say more, and then proceeded with a liberal hand to mingle brandy with water. Mr. Brownlow made some observation about York, which elicited a reply from Mr. Mallett that " he thought it would be a good meeting for the ' fielders/ as some of the swells had been ' very sweet ' on the favourites ;" then, addressing Ethel, he asked: " Fond of racing, Mrs. Brownlow V* " I never was at a race/' replied Ethel. " Never at a race V exclaimed Mallett, drawing back his chair ; " never see the Darby, nor the Oaks, nor even little Hampton ? Why, Harry, you ought to be ashamed of yourself, 'pon my soul, you ought/' " I never had any desire to go," said Ethel, " or I have no doubt but Mr. Brownlow would have indulged me. I have been told that a race- course is not the place for a lady — hardly for a gentleman." 186 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, " Then you've been badly taught, that's all I can say, ma'am. There's a parcel of cant- ing people in this world as would make mission- aries and holy-chokers of Her Majesty's Beefeaters if they could/' said Mallett, with great vehemence, and then continued to utter such extraordinary theological opinions in such unparliamentary language that Ethel rose to retire. " Stay, Ethel, please j and there, Mallett, that will do for the present," interposed Brownlow j " let me give you a light for your cigar, and mix again." " Very well," said Mallett, "we'll adjourn the sitting, and — uncommon good brandy, Harry, and — " looking at his watch, " bless me ! I'd no idea it was so late ; shall be locked out. You pack up them matters, and let me be off." Air. Brownlow hesitated a moment before he left the room, and, looking at Ethel, said — " I shall not be ten minutes, dear ;" and then went upstairs to his workshop. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 1S7 As soon as lie had left the room, Mallctt turned round sharply to Ethel, his tipsy manner changed to almost fierceness, and said — " You asked me just now about Mrs. Mallctt. Didn't you know that she's left me? Didn't Bro willow tell you she'd cut me ?" M No, indeed, Mr. Mallett, or I should not have asked the question I did," replied Ethel, rather alarmed. " I don't think what you say is a lie, I don't," said Mallett, " but I thought you had heard it, and that was why you never asked me in here. I thought you was ashamed to have known her." " I only knew her kindness, Mr. Mallctt." " Yes, she was that ! Soft-hearted as a medlar, and generous, but I spoilt her. I made too much of her. Dressed her like a duchess, and when change of weather came, and I couldn't afford it, she couldn't ' pull up,' she couldn't, and so she bolted." 18S FALKNER LYLE J OR, Mr. Mallett had given a true summary of his domestic misery. The fine, handsome woman had been encouraged by him to array herself in gorgeous attire; and when she came to love it, and had nothing else to love, she could not endure to have the means of buying it withheld. A tempter came, and lured her away with the rustle of silks and the wind from fine feathers. "Mrs. Brownlow," said Mallett, after a few moments' pause, " you don't treat me fairly — no you don't. If I hadn't met with your aunt, and done the good Samariting by her, I shouldn't have known you, and then I shouldn't have known your husband, and been half ruined by him, and lost her." " Mr. Mallett !" exclaimed Ethel. " Ah ! you mayn't know it, ma'am, living here in ease and all that, but it's time you did, and know that I'm the best friend, perhaps the only friend, that you and your husband has in the THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 1S9 world. Don't get up; he'll bo here soon enough." Ethel turned deadly pale, expecting that some terrible revelation was coming. " You think Mr. Brownlow a gentleman, ma'am," said Mallett, in a lower tone, " and me 1 a leg/ So we are, but he's no better than I am in that respect. We're to work together, though I know jolly well who'll have ' the pull ' of that. Do you see there, ma'am ?" Mallett took from his coat-pocket as he spoke a pack of cards wrapped in paper. Having opened the cover, he placed the cards on the table, and began to cut them in various directions, producing at will a court or a plain card, as the waiter at the Club had done years before. u They're the work of your husband, Mrs. Brownlow ; he makes these — c doctors ' we call them." " And what is their use ?" asked Ethel, almost in a whisper. Mallett laughed before he replied, u To ' pick 190 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, up flats/ ' to fleece green ones/ to win and not lose." " To cheat !" exclaimed Ethel, starting np. " If yon like that word better, ma'am/' replied Mallett, puffing his cigar. "So yon see there's not so much difference between your gentleman and me, after all." Ethel, clasping her hands across her forehead, rose hastily and left the room, stealing upstairs to little Ethel's chamber, and, having opened the door without disturbing the child, she stood listening for Brownlow to descend. Presently she heard him on the stairs, and then enter the room below. She lighted a candle with a match on the landing, and then, with all the haste she could make, she went to the workshop. The inspec- tion of a few moments' duration showed her the nature of her husband's employment. Fine cuttings from cards were on the table, playing cards torn and cast aside, whilst others were piled together, awaiting the completion of the pack. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 191 A sickness seized her as she observed these confirmations of Mallett's statement, and of Brownlow's complicity, and she feared that she should have fallen. With great effort she rallied herself, and, when sufficiently collected, returned to little Ethel's room, and found the child still sleeping. Having locked the door, and extin- guished the light, she sat down upon the ground and folded her hands across her knees. There was a bright moon shining without, and though partially shut out by the window-blind, was still strong enough to cast her shadow upon the floor, moving as she moved, and showing like a spectral attendant on the agonised woman. She had learned the worst — the worst that such a truthful, generous woman as Ethel could learn. Her husband was, without the hope of doubt at any time to come, a cold, de- liberate cheat — a* cowardly, unmanly thief — who robbed with a friendly smile upon his face, who proffered bread and salt, only to despoil his ♦ 192 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, guest ; who was, of all mean things, the meanest and most despised. Every hour, every day, might bring detection. Even she would not have concealed his treachery, had she seen it practised, so utterly did her honest nature revolt at his contemptible dishonesty. Men who, under temptation, embezzled or took by force even the money which was another's, seemed scarcely criminal compared with her husband ; and yet no law, no power on earth, could set her free from him ; even if she desired to break the chain, the golden fetter, which bound them together, nothing could abrogate her vows — nothing but death ! What had she conditioned to perform when she became his wife ? To be his stay, his comforter, in sickness and in health ; to receive him, for better for worse, until death should part them. Yes ; her duty was clear enough. She would perform it, although it should kill her, and to-morrow should find her at her post. THE STORY OF TWO WIVES. 193 She sat far into the morning, drawing up in her mind her plan of battle, for there was an enemy to be overcome, and she prayed earnestly, more than once during her long vigil, that God would give her the victory. At last she rose, undressed, and crept on to the small couch which she had had prepared for her, and, like a brave soldier who believes the cause he serves is just, slept peacefully until awakened by the usual summons for rising. Brownlow said little at breakfast — he rarely did of late, usually reading some book or paper — but having observed that Ethel took nothing, he expressed anxiety as to the cause, assuring her that he could not leave home, as he had intended doiug, if she was as ill as she appeared to be. " You must not leave home this morning, if you please, until we have talked witli each other," said Ethel, calmly — positively. " What's the matter now ?" asked Brownlow. VOL. IIT. O 194 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, "I hope Mallett is not to be the subject, as I told you before." " No ; not so much as yourself, or ourselves, I should say/' replied Ethel. " This looks very much like the beginning of a curtain lecture — a thing I don't like V9 " I shall have to require your attention to what I have to say, nevertheless, " said Ethel. " It will save time, then, to speak plainly, and at once V replied Brownlow. " I intend to do both, as my happiness and yours are too much concerned in what I wish to say to remain silent." " Well, speak ! What have you to say ?" " You last night forced upon me the society of a man I dislike." "I thought so. I thought that was the grumble/' said Brownlow, rising. " From that man I learned that you were a professed sharper, and that he was your con- federate." THE STORY* OF TWO WIVES. 195 c ' What ?" exclaimed Brownlow, turning round, and looking fiercely at Ethel. " I repeat what he told me — that you and he were professed sharpers ; he the vulgar tool, you the prime mover/' said Ethel. " The fellow was drunk or mad to say such lies; and you — you unjust and cruel to have believed them/' replied Brownlow. " Henry Brownlow, I would give all we possess to disbelieve them/' said Ethel, emphatically. " He told me that you had made the cards he showed me, and which, by your contrivance, could be made the means of robbery \" " The fellow lied, I say/' exclaimed Brownlow. " He did not lie ! He spoke the truth. I have seen in your room the evidence." Brownlow advanced to Ethel, and seized her arms. "You have not dared to watch me — to play the spy !" " I have dared to satisfy myself whether you o 2 196 FALKNER LYLE ; OR, were an honourable man, or a dishonest, miser- able sharper, Henry Brownlow. I did so last night after that man had spoken. Dare yon say he lied now ?" Ethel's courage — she did not struggle nor flinch, but looked Brownlow steadfastly in the face — awed him, and the convicted coward re- laxed his hold, and then turned away abashed. Both remained silent for a few minutes, as the recent contest had been sharp and incisive. " Well/'' said Brownlow at length, " what more have you to say? I must be going/' " I have more to say than can be said briefly;" replied Ethel, rld lying beneath remarkable ordid meanness and callous brutality ol these wolves In human r been so vividly portrayed ] supplied [oens serve to enhas rith which we peruse the straightforward andverad «er."— [Uut- trated Xews. •'These ,. \\ m< - will be ■ • of unrestrained I ruthfub lame time th< the ch. a nee. The Uterary merits of the work are of no mean order."— J'ost. 13. Great Marlborough Street. MESSES. HURST AND BLACKETT'S NEW WORKS, NOW READY. A JOURNEY FROM LONDON TO PERSE- POLIS; including WANDERINGS IN DAGHESTAN, GEORGIA, ARMENIA, KURDISTAN, MESOPOTAMIA, AND PERSIA. By J. Ussher, Esq., F.R.G.S. Royal 8vo, with numerous beautiful Coloured Illustrations. 42s. Elegantly bound. "This is a very interesting narrative. Mr. Ussher is one of the pleasantest corn- pan ions we have met with for a long time. We have rarely read a book of travels in which so much was seen so rapidly and so easily, and in which the scenery, the antiquities, and the people impressed the author's mind with such gentlemanly satisfaction. Mr. Ussher merited his success and this splendid monument of his travels and pleasant explorations." — Times. " This work does not yield to any recent book of travels in extent and variety of interest. Its title, 'From London to Persepolis,' is well chosen and highly sugges- tive. A wonderful chain of association is suspended from these two points, and the traveller goes along its line, gathering link After link into his hand, each gemmed with thought, knowledge, speculation, and adventure. The reader will feel that in closing this memorable book he takes leave of a treasury of knowledge. The whole book is interesting, and its unaffected style and quick spirit of observation lend an unfailing freshness to its pages. The illustrations are beautiful and have been executed with admirable taste and judgment" — Post. "This work is in every way creditable to the author, who has produced a mass of pleasant reading, both entertaining and instructive. Mr. Ussher's journey be defined as a complete oriental grand tour of the Asiatic west-central district. He started down the Danube, making for Odessa. Thence, having duly ' done ' the Crimea, he coasted the Circassian shore in a steamer to Poti, and from that to Tiflis. This was the height of summer, and, the season being favourable, he crossed the Dariel Pass northwards, turned to the east, and visited the mountain fastnesses of Shamir's country, recently conquered by the Eussians. Thence he returned to Tiflis by the old Persian province of Shirvan, along the Caspian, by Derbend and the famous fire-springs of Baku From Tiflis he went to Gumri. and over the frontier to Kars, and the splendid ruins of Ani, and through the Russian territory to the Turkish frontier fortress of Bayazid, stopping by the way at Erivan and the great monastery of Etchmiadzin. From Bayazid he went to Van. and saw all the chief points of interest on the lake of that name ; thence to Bitlis and Diarbekir. From Diarbekir he went to Mosul by the upper road, visited Nineveh, paid his respects to the winged bulls and all our old friends there, and floated on his raft of inflated skins down the Tigris to Baghdad. From Mosul he made an excursion to the devil-worshipping country, and another from Baghdad to Hiheh and the Birs Nimrnd, or so-called Tower of BabeL After resting in the city of the Caliphs, he red the track of his illustrious predecessor, Sindbad, to Bassora. only on board of a different craft, having got a passage in the steamer Comet; and the English monthly sailing packet took him from Bassora across the gulf to Bushire. From thence he went to Tehran over the 'broad dominions of the king of kings,' stopping at all the interesting places, particularly at Persepolis ; and from Tehran returned home through Armenia by Trebisonde and the Black Sea." — Saturday Review. FROM CADET TO COLONEL : The Record of a Life of Active Service. By Major-General Sir Thomas Seaton, K.C.B. 2 vols, with Illustrations, 21s. " Here are two volumes of pleasant, racy, personal memoirs by a veteran soldier, who, with the refreshing frankness of his class, gives as all his experiences from the day he took shipping on the Downs as a Cadet under the Old Company, down almost to the present time, when, full of years and honours, he enjoys his as a Major-General in the Queen's service, and his well-won decoratt a Knight Commander of the Bath. The writer buckled on his sword in 1822, and made it do good service through the disastrous Cabul campaign and at the of Delhi Sir Thomas Seaton has, in truth, produced a delightful book" — United Service Gazette. " This is a genuine and instructive book It is a record of Sir Thomas Beaton's own personal history and experience, in which he sheds a clear light upon many questions of large import, besides imbuing his narrative with that" lively interest which always attaches to personal adventures."— Daily Ntm. 13, Great Marlborough Street. MESSES. HURST AND BLACKETT'S NEW WORKS— Continued. THE LIFE OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD. From his Private Correspondence and Family Papers, in the pose of Joseph Mayer, Esq., F.S.A., Francis Wedgwood, Esq., 0. Dab- win, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., Miss Wedgwood, and other Original Sources. With an Introductory Sketch of the Art of Pottery in England. By Eliza Meteyard. Dedicated, by permission, Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Vol. 1, 8vo, with Portraits and above 100 other Illustrations, price 21s. elegantly bound, is now ready. The work will be completed in one more volume. " This is the Life of Wedgwood to the expected appearance of which I referred at Bursletn."— Extract from a Letter to the Author by the Right lion. W. E. Gladstone. •' This very beautiful book is the first of two volumes which will contain that Life of Wedgwood which for the last fifteen years Miss Meteyard has had in view, and to which the Wedgwood family, and all who have papers valuable in relation to its subject, have been cordially contributing. In his admirable sketch of Wedg- wood, given at Burslem, it was to the publication of this biography that Mr. Gladstone looked forward with pleasure. It is a very accurate and valuable book. To give their fullest value to the engravings of works of art which largely enrich the volume, the biography has been made by its publishers a choice specimen of their own art as book-makers. Neither care nor cost have been grudged." — Examiner. "The appearance of such a work as Miss Meteyard's 'Life of Josiah Wed is an event of importance in the sister spheres of literature and art. The biographer of our great potter has more than ordinary fitness for the fulfilment of her labour of love. She is an enthusiastic admirer and a practised connoisseur of Ceramic Art. and she brings the pleasant energy of individual taste and ft cling to the aid of complete, authentic, and well-arranged information, and the well-balanced style of an experienced litterateur. The interest of the book grows with everj The reader will peruse the numerous interesting particulars of Wedgv family life and affairs with unusual satisfaction, and will lay down the work with undoubting confidence that it will rank as a classic among biographies — an exhaustive work of the first rank in its school." — Morning Post. " No book has come before us for some time so stored with interesting informa- tion. Miss Meteyard is a biographer distinguished by a clever and energetic style, by delicate judgment, extensive information, and a deep interest in her Bui The history of the < leramic Art in England, and the biography of the eminen who brought it to perfection, have evidently been to her a labour of love; and of the spirit and manner in which she has executed it we can hardly speak too highly. The splendid getting up of the work reflects mueh credit on the house from win. I it is issued." — Dublin University Magazine, "The biography of Josiah Wedgwood has fallen into good hands. Miss Met has infused Into her task a congenial spirit, a cultivated taste, and, in addit fifteen years* study of her subject, she has been able to enrich her boob with a of private letters and documents relating to Josiah Wedgwood which wholly inaccessible to other writers. These give the work a character of reJ information try successful undertaking. 'Nature and Human Nature' isone of the best of Sam Slick's witly and humorous productions, and well entitled to the large circulation which it cannot fail to obtain in its present convenient and cheap shape. The volume combines with the greal mendations of a clear, bold type, and good paper, the lesser, but attractive merits, of lxihig well illustrated and elegantly bound."— Post. VOL. II.— JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN. " This is a very'good and a very interesting work. It is designed to trace the career from boyhood to age of a perfect man— aChristian gentleman, and it abounds in incident both we'll and highly wrought. Throughout it is conceived in a high-spirit, and written with great ability. This cheap and handsome new edition is worthy to pass freely from hand to hand as"a gift book in many households."— Examiner. " The new and cheaper edition of this interesting work will doubtless meet witli great success. John Halifax, the hero of this most beautiful story, is no ordinary hem. and this his history is no ordinary book. It is a full-length portrait of a true gentleman, one of nature's own nobility. It is also the history of a home, and a thoroughly English one. The work abounds in incident, and is full of graphic power and true pathos. It is a book that few will read without becoming wiser and better."— Scotsman. VOL. III.— THE CRESCENT AND THE CROSS. BY ELIOT WARBURTON. "Independent of its value as an original narrative, and its useful and interesting information, this work is remarkable for the colouring power and play of fancy with which its descriptions are enlivened. Among its greatest and most lasting charms is its reverent and serious spirit."— Quarterly Review. "A book calculated to prove more practically useful was never penned than "The Crescent and the Cross '—a work which surpasses all others in its homage for the sub- lime and its love for the beautiful in those famous regions consecrated bo everlasting immortality in the annals of the prophets, and which no other writer has ever de- picted with a pencil at once so reverent and so picturesque."— Sun. VOL. IV.— NATHALIE. BY JULIA KAVANAGH. "' Nathalie ' is Miss Kavanagh's best imaginative effort. Its manner is gracious and attractive. Its matter is good. A sentiment, a tenderness, are commanded by her which are as individual as they are vU-is-.mt."— Athenaeum. VOL. V.— A WOMAN'S THOUGHTS ABOUT WOMEN. BY THE AUTHOR OF "JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN." " A book of sound counsel. It is one of the mosl sensible works of its kind, well- written, true-hearted, and altogether practical. Whoever re advice to :i young lady may thank the author for means <>i doil ■ 'uer. [CONTINUED on the following pages.] HURST AND BLACKETT'S STANDARD LIBRARY (CONTINUED). VOL. VI.— ADAM GRAEME. BY MRS OLIPHANT. '"Adam Graeme' is a story awakening genuine emotions of interest and delight by its admirable pictures of Scottish life and scenery. The eloquent author sets before us the essential attributes of Christian virtue, their deep and silent workings in the heart, and their beautiful manifestations in life, with a delicacy, a power, and'a truth which can hardly be surpassed."— Post. VOL. 711.— SAM SLICK'S WISE SAWS AND MODERN INSTANCES. "We have not the slightest intention to criticise this book. Its reputation is made, and will stand as long as that of Scott's or Bulwer's Novels. The remarkable ori- ginality of its purpose, and the happy description it affords of American life and man- ners, still continue the subject of universal admiration. To say thus much is to say enough, though we must just mention that the new edition forms a part of Messrs Hurst and Blackett's Cheap Standard Library, which has included some of the very best specimens of light literature that ever have been written."— Messenger. VOL. VIII.— CARDINAL WISEMAN'S RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LAST FOUR POPES. "A picturesque book on Rome and its ecclesiastical sovereigns, by an eloquent Ro- man Catholic. Cardinal Wiseman has treated a special subject with so much geniality, that his recollections will excite no ill-feeling in those who are most conscientiously op- posed toevery ideaof human infallibility representedin Papal domination."— Athenaeum. VOL. IX.— A LIFE FOR A LIFE. BY THE AUTHOR OF "JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN." " We are always glad to welcome Miss Mulock. She writes from her own convic- tions, and she has the power not only to conceive clearly what it is that she wishes to say, but to express it in language effective and vigorous. In ' A Life for a Life ' she is for- tunate in a good subject, and has produced a work of strong effect." — Athenceum. VOL. X.— THE OLD COURT SUBURB. BY LEIGH HUNT. " A delightful book, that will be welcome to all readers, and most welcome to those who have a love for the best kinds of reading."— Examiner. " A more agreeable and entei-taining book has not been published since Boswell pro- duced his reminiscences of Johnson." — Observer. VOL. XL— MARGARET AND HER BRIDESMAIDS. " We recommend all who are in search of a fascinating novel to read this work for themselves. They will find it well worth their while. There are a freshness and origin- ality about it quite charming."— Atlienceum. VOL. XII.— THE OLD JUDGE. BY SAM SLICK. "The publications included in this Library have all been of good quality ; many give information while they entertain, and of that class the book before us is a specimen. The manner in which the Cheap Editions forming the series is produced deserves especial mention. The paper and print are unexceptionable ; there is a steel engraving in each volume, and the outsides of them will satisfy the purchaser who likes to see books in handsome uniform."— Examiner. VOL. XIII.— DARIEN. BY ELIOT WARBURTON. "This last production of the author of ' The Crescent and the Cross ' has the same elements of a very wide popularity. It will please its thousands."— Globe. HURST AND BLACKETT'S STANDARD LIBRARY (CONTINUED). YOL. XIY.— FAMILY ROMANCE ; OR, DOMESTIC ANNALS OF THE ARISTOCRACY. BY SIR BERNARD BURKE, Ulster King of Asms, " It were impossible to praise too highly this most interesting hook. It ought to be found on every drawing-room table. Here you have nearly fifty oapi tvating i with the pith of all their interest preserved in undiminished poignancy, ami may be read iu half an hour."— Standard. YOL. XY.— THE LAIRD OF NORLAW. BY THE AUTHOR OF " MRS MARGARET MAITLAXD." " The Laird of Norlaw fully sustains the author's high reputation."— Sunday Times. YOL. XYL— THE ENGLISHWOMAN IN ITALY. " We can praise Mrs Gretton's book as interesting, unexaggerated, and full of oppor- tune instruction."— The Times. YOL. XYIL— NOTHING NEW. BY THE AUTHOR OF "JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN." " ' Nothing New ' displays all those superior merits which have made' John Halifax' one of the most popular works of the day."— Post. YOL. XYIIL— FREER'S LIFE OF JEANNE D'ALBRET. " Nothing can be more interesting than Miss Freer's story of the life of Jeanne D'Albret, and the narrative is as trustworthy as it is attractive."— Post. YOL. XIX.— THE VALLEY OF A HUNDRED FIRES. BY THE AUTHOR OF "MARGARET AND HER BRIDESMAIDS." " We know no novel of the last three or four years to equal this latest production of the popular authoress of 'Margaret and her Bridesmaids.' If asked to classify it, we should give it a place between 'John Halifax ' and ' The Caxtons.' "—Herald: YOL. XX.— THE ROMANCE OF THE FORUM. BY PETER BURKE, Serjeant at Law. " A work of singular interest, which can never fail to charm. The present cheap and elegant edition includes the true story of the Colleen Bawn."— Illustrated Ac u-s. YOL. XXL— ADELE. BY JULIA KAVANAGH. " ' Adele ' is the best work we have read by Miss Kavanagh ; it is a charm in i: rtorj full of delicate character painting."— Athenceum. YOL. XXII.— STUDIES FROM LIFE. BY THE AUTHOR OF "JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN." " These ' Studies from Life'are remarkable for graphic power and observation. The book willnot diminish the reputation of the accomplishodauthor."— Saturday Review. YOL. XXIIL— GRANDMOTHER'S MONEY. "We commend 'Grandmother's Money ' to readers In Bearch of a good novel. The characters are true to human nature, the. story is interesting, and there is throughout a healthy tone of morality."— Athenceum. YOL. XXIY.— A BOOK ABOUT DOCTORS. BY J. C. JEAFFRESON, ESQ. "A delightful book."— Athewvum. " A ho,.k to be read sndre-read \ lit for the study as well as the drawing-room table and the circulating library."— Lam HURST AND BLACKETT'S STANDARD LIBRARY (CONTINUED). VOL. XXV.— NO CHURCH. " "We advise all who have the opportunity to read this book. It is well worth the study." — Athenceum. VOL. XXVI.— MISTRESS AND MAID. BY THE AUTHOE OF "JOHN HALIFAX, GENTLEMAN." " A good wholesome book, gracefully written, and as pleasant to read as it is instruct- ive."— Athenceum. "A charming tale charmingly told. All the characters are drawn with life-like naturalness."— Herald. " The spirit of the whole book is excellent. It is written with the same true-hearted earnestness as ' John Halifax.' "—Examiner. VOL. XXVII— LOST AND SAVED. BY THE HON. MRS NORTON. " ' Lost and Saved ' will be read with eager interest. It is a vigorous novel."— Times. "A novel of rare excellence; fresh in its thought, and with a brave soul speaking through it. It is Mrs Norton's best prose work."— Examiner. VOL. XXVIII.— LES MISERABLES. BY VICTOR HUGO. AUTHORISED COPYRIGHT ENGLISH TRANSLATION. " The merits of • Les Miserables ' do not merely consist in the conception of it as a whole ; it abounds, page after pa.ee, with details of unequalled beauty. In dealing with all the emotions, doubts, fears, which go to make up our common humanity. M. Victor Hugo has stamped upon every page the hall-mark of genius."— Quarterly Review. VOL. XXIX.— BARBARA'S HISTORY. BY AMELIA B. EDWARDS. " It is not often that we light upon a novel of so much merit and interest as * Barbara's History.' It is a work conspicuous for taste and literary culture. It is a very graceful and "charming book, with a well-managed story, clearly-cut characters, and sentiments expressed with an exquisite elocution. The dialogues especially sparkle with repartee. It is a book which the world will like. This is high praise of a work of art, and so we intend it."— Times. VOL. XXX.— LIFE OF THE REV. EDWARD IRVING. BY MRS OLirHANT. " A good book on a most interesting theme."- Times. " A truly interestiiis and most affecting memoir. Irving's Life ought to have a niche in every gallery of religious biography. There are few lives that will be fuller of in- struction, interest, and consolation."— Saturday Review. " Mrs Oliphant's Life of Irving supplies a long-felt desideratum. It is copious, earnest, and eloquent. Irving, as a man and as a pastor, is exhibited with many broad, powerful, andlife-like touches, which leave a strong impression." — Edinburgh Review. VOL. XXXL— ST OLAVE'S. " This charming novel is the work of one who possesses a great talent for writing, as well as experience and knowledge of the world. ' St Olave's ' is the work of an art- ist. The whole book is worth reading."— Athenceum. VOL. XXXIL— SAM SLICK'S TRAITS OF AMERICAN HUMOUR. "Dip where you will into this lottery of fun, you are sure to draw out a prize. These racy ' Traits ' exhibit most successfully the broad national features ot American humour."— Post.